About the pictures

We were in San Antonio again this past weekend. We actually planned to be back home by Saturday evening, but we got a phone call letting us know that Erin, Steven's sister flew in for the weekend to surprise him!!! We only found out about an hour and a half before we had planned to leave!!! Anyway, all the pictures below are from her visit.

If I look tired, it's because I was!!!!

I had already had a long morning, with packing and making plans to meet up with my parents to tell them goodbye. By the time the pictures were taken, I had been in the car for most of the day, Ryan hadn't had any sort of good nap and it was really starting to show!!! Before the day was over, we were in the car for several more hours, Ryan still had no decent nap, and my preggy symptoms kicked in with a vengeance, leaving me with swollen feet and legs up to my knees! I was exhausted!

But, everyone else looks good, so just ignore the tired, pregnant lady! :)

And more pictures!

More pictures!!!

Winter Memories

My guys!

My journey through last year...

Through The Storms

I did not know His love before,

the way I know it now.

I could not see my need for Him,

my pride would not allow.

I had it all, without a care,

the "Self-sufficient" lie.

My path was smooth, my sea was still,

not a cloud was in my sky.

I thought I knew His love for me,

I thought I'd seen His grace,

I thought I did not need to grow,

I thought I'd found my place.

But then the way grew rough and dark,

the storm clouds quickly rolled;

The waves began to rock my ship,

my anchor would not hold.

The ship that I had built myself

was made of foolish pride.

It fell apart and left me bare,

with nowhere else to hide.

I had no strength or faith to face

the trials that lay ahead,

And so I simply prayed to Him

and bowed my weary head.

His loving arms enveloped me,

and then He helped me stand.

He said, "You still must face this storm,

but I will hold your hand."

So through the dark and lonely night

He guided me through pain.

I could not see the light of day

or when the storm might wane.

Yet through the aches and endless tears,

my faith began to grow.

I could not see it at the time,

but my light began to glow.

I saw God's love in brand new light,

His grace and mercy, too.

For only when all self was gone

could Jesus' love shine through.

It was not easy in the storm,

I sometimes wondered, "Why?"

At times I thought, "I can't go on."

I'd hurt, and doubt, and cry.

But Jesus never left my side,

He guided me each day.

Through pain and strife,through fire and flood,

He helped me all the way.

And now I see as never before

how great His love can be.

How in my weakness He is strong,

how Jesus cares for me!

He worked it all out for my good,

although the way was rough.

He only sent what I could bear,

and then He cried, "Enough!"

He raised His hand and said, "Be still!"

He made the storm clouds cease.

He opened up the gates of joy

and flooded me with peace.

I saw His face now clearer still,

I felt His presence strong,

I found anew His faithfulness,

He never did me wrong.

Now I know more storms will come,

but only for my good,

For pain and tears have helped me grow

as naught else ever could.

I still have so much more to learn

as Jesus works in me;

If in the storm I'll love Him more,

that's where I want to be!

~ Unknown Author ~

Realizations

We can say without any doubt that we are definitely having a boy.

I told Steven that I thought the baby was offended that mommy was still holding out some hope for a girl! He showed us nothing but that he was a BOY at this last sonogram-- definitely NOT a shy little boy! :o]

I realized some things the other night when I couldn't sleep (a regular occurence these days, it seems.)

First, my parents are leaving again in about two weeks. Time has flown by since they returned this time around! It's been good to have them home and I'll miss them like always.

Second, my best friend is marrying my cousin in less less than eight weeks. I'm supposed to be a bridesmaid...YIKESSSS!!!!! I have lots to do to get ready. My dress has to be made, shower plans have to be laid, gifts must be bought, etc, etc! Fun times indeed!!!

And last, but not least, the most important and shocking midnight realization--

THIS BABY WILL BE HERE IN LESS THAN 16 WEEKS!!!!!! WOW!!!!!!!!!!!

I hadn't really thought about that until this week. There's so much to do still and so much else going on around me! I was a little overwhelmed for a while, but I know everything will get done that needs to get done.

My parents will be coming home the weekend before I'm supposed to be induced. Pray for them. They'll get back on a Friday morning, drive here to Coleman that day, and try to get enough rest to see them through the birth and all the subsequent excitement and activity that will follow. My mom is committed to helping me those first couple weeks, and she will really need her rest to keep up with Ryan full time while I recover!

So much going on these days!!! It's fun to think about, but I know that I need to kick it into gear if I'm going to be remotely ready to have this baby come into our lives and into our home!

Welcome, Chad and Heather!

The Helwigs have finally joined the world of bloggers!! I have a link on my sidebar if anyone's interested in checking in on them!

Thot I'd share...

Themes of God in the Books of the Bible

Old Testament :

In Genesis , He is the Creator God.

In Exodus, He is the Redeemer.

In Leviticus, He is your sanctification.

In Numbers, He is your guide.

In Deuteronomy, He is your teacher.

In Joshua, He is the mighty conqueror.

In Judges, He gives victory over enemies.

In Ruth, He is your kinsman, your lover, your redeemer.

In I Samuel, he is the root of Jesse;

In 2 Samuel, He is the Son of David.

In 1st and 2nd Kings, He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

In 1st and 2nd Chronicles, He is your intercessor and High Priest.

In Ezra, He is your temple, your house of worship.

In Nehemiah, He is your mighty wall, protecting you from your enemies.

In Esther, He stands in the gap to deliver you from your enemies.

In Job, He is the arbitrator who not only understands your struggles, but has the
power to do something about them.

In Psalms, He is your song-and your reason to sing.

In Proverbs, He is your wisdom, helping you make sense of life and live it successfully.

In Ecclesiastes, He is your purpose, delivering you from vanity.

In the Song of Solomon, He is your lover, your Rose of Sharon.

In Isaiah, He is the mighty counsellor, the Prince of peace, the Everlasting father, and more. In short, He's everything you need.

In Jeremiah, He is your balm of Gilead, the soothing salve for your sin-sick soul.

In Lamentations, He is the ever-faithful One upon whom you can depend.

In Ezekiel, He is your wheel in the middle of a wheel-the one who assures that dry, dead bones will come alive again.

In Daniel, He is the ancient of days, everlasting God who never runs out of time.

In Hosea, He is your faithful lover, always beckoning you to come back-even when you have abandoned Him.

In Joel, He is your refuge, keeping you safe in times of trouble.

In Amos, He is the husbandman, the one you can depend on to stay by your side.

In Obadiah, He is Lord of the Kingdom.

In Jonah, He is your salvation, bringing you back within His will.

In Micah, He is Judge of the nation.

In Nahum, He is the jealous God.

In Habakkuk, He is the Holy One.

In Zephaniah, He is the Witness.

In Haggai, He overthrows the enemies.

In Zechariah, He is Lord of Hosts.

In Malachi, He is the messenger God.


New Testament :

In Matthew, He is king of the Jews.

In Mark, He is the servant.

In Luke, He is the Son of Man, feeling what you feel.

In John, He is the Son of God.

In Acts, He is Saviour of the world.

In Romans, He is the righteousness of God.

In I Corinthians, He is the rock that followed Israel.

In II Corinthians, He is the triumphant one, giving victory.

In Galatians, He is your liberty; He sets you free.

In Ephesians, He is head of the Church.

In Philippians, He is your joy.

In Colossians, He is your completeness.

In I Thessalonians, He is your hope.

In II Thessalonians, He is your patience and discipline.

In I Timothy, He is your faith.

In II Timothy, He is your stability.

In Titus, He is the truth.

In Philemon, He is your benefactor.

In Hebrews, He is your perfection.

In James, He is the power behind your faith.

In I Peter, He is your example.

In II Peter, He is your purity.

In I John, He is your life.

In II John, He is your pattern.

In III John, He is your motivation.

In Jude, He is the foundation of your faith.

In Revelation, He is your coming King.