And then there's this...

We're pregnant! As a matter of fact, we're about to get to meet our baby boy any day! Can't believe it's been that long since I blogged! And I'm not going to say I'll get better at it, because I'm pretty sure that with 2 babies, things aren't going to get less busy!

We actually found out in January, and things have been crazy and wonderful at the same time! I've seriously had the most bizarre pregnancy ever! In the last nine months, I've had strep, the stomach virus, multiple sinus infections, various other infections, nose bleeds, and pregnancy induced carpal tunnel on top of the usual pregnancy symptoms! It's been a whirlwind, but like I said, wonderful at the same time!

And yes, we are blessed to be having another baby boy! I honestly thought I would want a little girl, but when we saw that it was definitely a boy, I was so excited you couldn't hold me down! Of course, after losing the pregnancy last year, and the one before Preston, what we're having isn't nearly as important as the fact that he's healthy! And while my body may have gone a little haywire, I'm happy to report that Brooks, our little man, is perfectly healthy!

Like I said, we're very close to meeting him! On my visit to the Dr. last week, she said she'd be surprised if I make it to my next visit!

We had a 4d sonogram done. Aren't those just amazing? Who would have ever thought that you could see a clear picture of your baby before he's even born? Here he is!!

Why did Jesus fold the napkin?

My husband recently received this from his aunt... just in time for Easter. I had never seen or heard of it before, but it gave me chills and choked me up. I wanted to share it...

"Now, on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene came early to the tomb, while it was still dark and saw that the stone already taken away from the tomb. So she ran to Simon Peter and the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and said to them, "They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him." So Peter and the other disciples went forth, and they were going to the tomb. The two were running together; the other disciple ran ahead faster than Peter and came to the tomb first; and stooping and looking in, he saw the linen wrappings lying there; but he did not go in. And so Simon Peter also came, following him, and entered the tomb and he saw the linen wrappings lying there and the facecloth that had been on His head, not lying with the linen wrappings, but rolled up in a place by itself."
John 20:1-7 NAS

Why did Jesus fold the linen burial cloth after His resurrection? That napkin, or facecloth, that covered his precious face wasn't just tossed aside like his other graveclothes... it was folded (rolled up) and set aside. The Bible takes an entire verse to explain this to us. Is it important? YES! Is it significant? YES!

In order to understand the significance of this, you need to understand a little bit about Hebrew tradition during that day. The folded napkin had to do with the master and the servant. When the servant set the dinner table for the master, he made sure it was set exactly the way his master wanted it. The table was furnished perfectly and then the servant would wait, just out of sight, until the master had finished eating. The servant wasn't to touch the table until the master was completely finished. If the master were done eating, he would rise from the table and use his napkin to clean his mouth, hands, and beard. Then he would wad the napkin and toss it onto the table. Then the servant would come and clear the table, for in that time, a wadded napkin meant: "I am done." But if the master got up and folded the napkin, laying it beside his plate, the servant wouldn't dare touch the table...

because a folded napkin meant "I'm coming back"

HE IS COMING BACK!

A year older

Last Saturday we celebrated Preston's 3rd birthday! Can you believe it! And since I really stink at this whole blogging thing, I've not really posted pictures of him since this time last year... I know... I know...

That being said... I hope you'll enjoy these new pictures of our little man with his friends at his party! This was his first party to invite friends to, and it was a lot of fun! We had it at our church, and rented an inflatable bouncer, and brought all of Preston's riding toys for the kids to play with! Unfortunately, Preston was the only child who didn't get in the bouncer! He got close.. once. But that was because his best friends from Ms. Pam's (who he never sees anymore because he's home with me) was getting in, and Preston thought he wanted to as well, but quickly changed his mind! Anyway, it was a ton of fun and we were blessed to have lots of family and friends who joined us! Hope y'all like the pictures!

Ugggh...

I've got to do better with this... seriously. I'm just acknowledging it publicly so maybe it will happen?? That's all I got right now!

A new beginning...

Well, I am no longer an employee of my former employer. And since that's about as clear as mud, let me rephrase it... I lost my job last Tuesday.



It's not like it wasn't expected... my company announced in January there would be layoffs sometime this year, and it finally happened! That in itself was a blessing. Now, the only question I have is what to do next? And isn't that a good question?



I wish I knew the answer to it! There are a million different things that I want to try, so this news is both exciting and frightning. I'm definitely going to persue a teaching career, but I also want to explore the possibility of selling my artwork and designs. It's exciting because this is a new beginning. I had a very stressful job... or at least it was for me... but the money was great. Greater than great. But since it's gone, we have a large amount to make up for in our budget... and there in lies the frightning part of it.



Last night at church, we had a visiting preacher who's sermon was on faith. (Isn't it funny how God sends these things to you right when you need it?) More specifically, faith when you are put in an uncomfortable situation. His Biblical example was when Jesus told the disciples "Go to the other side" when they were perfectly happy to stay where they were. If this wasn't enough, the pastor even cited job loss as an example we might face. Believe me, I was perfectly happy to stay where I was, but now, God has nudged me and told me to "Go to the other side". The preacher explained... like he was reading my mind... that it's not so much the "other side" but what's on the other side that we have a problem with. What was on the other side for the disciples was a demonic possessed man, whom Christ healed. What's on the other side for me? Well, that remains to be seen.



Isn't it so much easier to say, "have faith, God will take care of you" when others face adversity versus when you are met with your own problems? It really is... Satan loves to take those opportunities to place seeds of doubt in your mind. But you have to stay strong... I have to stay strong in my faith. Romans 8:38-39 says, "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." That is so comforting to know... no matter how bad things may get, I'll never be separated from God's love. So, really, if that's the case, things can never be that bad, right?



1 Corinthians 1:9 says that "God is faithful". I've seen that in my own life. The last year and a half hasn't been good. My husband lost his job, we lost another pregnancy, there have been several family issues I won't go into, and chroninc sickness with another family member, and to top it off, I've now lost my job. But GOD IS FAITHFUL. Always has been, always will be.

Start spreadin' the news...

For our 5 year anniversary we took a trip to the Big Apple! We dined at Bobby Flay's Mesa Grill, Mario Batalli's Otto (not impressed), and had the BEST blueberry pancakes in the world at the Clinton Street Baking Company! We also went to the last home game for the Knicks where we saw Spike Lee and witnessed the first Yankee win in their awesome new stadium! Other highlights included seeing Alyssa Milano at the NBA store! We had a great time!

Peter Cottontail and Huntin' Eggs!

Over Easter Weekend, our church had an Easter egg hunt. Preston had a GREAT time!! He even found several eggs! Of course it was hard talking him into putting them into the basket! He wanted to hold all of the ones he found! On Easter we had wonderful worship time at church and a great lunch at my mom's. Afterwards we all had a great Easter nap! ha!