Ways I know I'm almost done...

I feel like I've been pregnant forever.  But the end is in sight.  I know this for a few reasons. 

First, I will not drive long distances anymore.  This is huge because I really don't like where I live and would love to go to the city or Columbia anytime instead of being here.  But I'm done until this baby gets here.

Second, I've been joking lately and telling the baby at night that he can't come today because I am too tired.  But today after not sleeping well and being in the car all day and feeling like I have mono right now....yes that is how tired I am...I have told him that if he wants to come it's ok.  Really he should wait one more week but it will work out.

Third, in the last week I have cried just about every day over really dumb things.

Fourth, we have a towel rack for a dish towel that is to be used for drying your hands.  My blood starts to boil every time I go in and find it on the counter instead of it's home.  I haven't told my husband how mad this makes me because I know it's just hormones and very silly.  So I'm trying to ignore it for now.

I have had an amazing pregnancy.  I haven't had too many complaints and for the most part I have enjoyed it.   However, I am more than anything ready to meet this little man.  I can't wait to see him and fall more in love with him than I already have.

If you look above at my count down....

You will see that my watermelon is almost home!  That's all.

Valentines Gifts

This was Nathan's Valentine.  So glad Mother Nature worked with me.

And the following is my version of an "edible" bouquet for Nathan's Mom for Valentines.  I also made the card.  This was before it turned over in the car.

A good book

When I was in Africa, my cousin Adam asked me if I knew a professor who taught creative writing named David James Duncan.  I had heard of him but not had his class yet.  Adam was reading a bunch of his books at the time and one he told me about was River Teeth.  This book is great.  It's a bunch of short stories that are written so well you feel like you are a part of what's going on.
If you are looking for a good book to read I recommend this one.  It's nice to pick it up and read some of my favorite stories every once in a while.  My favorites are Her Idiots and Mickey Mantel's Khoen.
Just thought I'd share.

Silwee Berries

I'm one of those people who notices things that most don't.  If you are going to a National Park you would want to take me because I will be the one who points out animals that most people won't see.  

Yesterday I saw some things in my strawberries.  I can hear my niece, Morgandy saying, "Aunt Lana, that's silwee."

This berry is very patriotic.  It's the USA...well minus Florida.

 This one is a chicken.

This one is just a smile.  

I tried really hard to see Mother Mary in one of these berries.  But she is not here.  I would keep looking but I have eaten them all in excitement of seeing what is inside.

Snow.

I love the snow.  I know it can be hard to drive in and can cause school to last a long time but there are so many good things about it.  Here are some of my reasons why I love the snow.

Snow makes everything peaceful.  

                                            

                                           Candles smell better and feel warmer when there is

                                           snow outside.

                                           Brownies taste better(notice the cute snoopy plate)

Hot beverages taste better and warm you up.

I made this chai from scratch and it is so good!

                                        

                                          Snow makes everything look pretty.  Even the most

                                          common decorations.

Snow give you great memories.  This is Montana snow.

I loved coming here to cross-country ski.  It feels like your in a post card or Narnia.

Snow is fun to play in.

I feel like God gives us snow when we need a break.  So enjoy your day off(if you have one) and take time to rest, read, write a letter to a friend, or talk to God. I'm thankful for the snow and the day with Nathan tomorrow.

So cute...

Look at what I found!  These are too cute and kinda expensive but really worth it.

Who will be Jesus to him...

When I was younger I hear a song on the radio with the words, "Who will be Jesus to them. Who'll show the love that restores them again. They do not need a judge, they need a friend. Who will be Jesus to them."  I heard it once and never heard it again.  This was before internet was popular or at least in my life so I couldn't go look up the name of it.  Instead it has been forever engraved in my mind.


There are certain times when this song comes back into my mind.  I'm sure it's when God is trying to tell me something.  Last Sunday this song was playing loud and clear.  I had been flying home on Saturday and it wasn't until late that night that I heard about the Tragedy in Tucson.  Nathan mentioned it to me right before I went to bed.  It wasn't until the next morning when I realized what a true tragedy it really was. I felt so bad for the victims and their families.  I have been through a tramatic time before and I couldn't help but think that this was only the beginning of this time for them.  The nightmares and constant thought of that day will follow them for along time.  I hope that they will seek help and I pray that they have comfort that surrounds them.  


But there was one person in all of this that I'm sure God has put on my heart, the young man who did all this.  When I see his photo on the news I can't help but think, "who was Jesus to him."  I'm sure most people would think I'm crazy and that he doesn't deserve a thought.  However, he was made by the same God who made everyone else in this world.  He was made to be a child of God and to have a purpose in life.  Unfortunately, he was lost. As most of us do, he got on the wrong track but he stayed there.  He was obviously very sick and needed help.  


Nathan and I are in the process of becoming church planters.  But first we are Christians and children of God.  We were both made for a purpose, like Jared Loughner.  Our jobs are not with the school district, but with Jesus. We are here to "be Jesus" to anyone and everyone.  In the media there are so many "what if" questions about what happened in Tucson. What if someone had crossed that young mans path and showed him Jesus days before the shooting?  Would he have changed his mind and maybe even given his life back to Jesus? It most likely doesn't help to ask "what ifs" in these times.  But it makes me think of something that Paul said in Colissians 4:5..make the most of every opportunity.  Every time we see someone we need to be sharing Jesus with them in some way. 


It's not too late for this young man to find Jesus.  As we pray for the victims and their families we can pray for him and for his family.  We can pray that God will put someone in his life now and help him see Jesus.  We can pray that this won't happen again and that others who are also lost will be found.  After all, "he does not need a judge he needs a friend. So who will be Jesus to him."

Trying to be great for God

I'm so thankful that I got to spend the holidays in Florida with my family.  It has been very refreshing to spend time with them and get to see everyone.  I love coming here and always get sad when I have to return.
I've had some major anxiety about returning to Missouri this time.  I am looking forward to seeing Nathan after being away from him for a week.  But that's about it.  Every day there is a challenge in just about every area of life.  I've spend the last week praying about going back and asking God to help me live a life for Him.  Today I had a feeling that I was made to do great things for God and His kingdom.  But in Missouri I'm not great.  I'm depressed and sad and just trying to make it to the next day.  I do try.  I try very hard to fit into a Missouri life.  This is where I go wrong.  I need to try more to fit into God's kingdom instead of this place that is definitely not my home.
I still have some anxiety about going back to Missouri but I feel like I've also had enough rest and encouragement here that I can work hard to live a great life.

Morgandy Moran...Super kid!

I'm very impressed by this 4 year old, Morgandy.  She makes me very excited and full of hope that I can raise an awesome kid.
Morgandy is the least picky eater I have ever met.  Her mom tells me that it's because she doesn't get a choice.  I hope to teach my kids to eat or at least try everything.  I want my children to be as healthy as they can be and learn that very early on.
She also loves to help around the house.  Helping out is fun for her.  She loves to help cook and clean and she even was excited to put up the Christmas tree today(my least favorite thing to do).  She took off ornaments and helped us put them in a box.  It was so much fun to see her excited and not think that being helpful is awful.  She even gets excited and asks to help you in whatever you are doing.
I look forward to having my own little helper...in a couple of years of course.  Don't worry I won't make my newborn do the dishes.  But I will make sure he knows that being a helper is fun.

To the girls of SCHS...

Dear girls of SCHS,

I have heard that you have been fighting with each other a lot lately.  My first reaction is that is not very smart to do just days before Santa comes.  Then I get really sad.  I'm sad that you feel like something so terrible has happened that you have to rip out each other's earrings and hair.  I'm sorry to say but life will get harder and the things that upset you now will seem very small.  I wish I could embrace you in all your anger and let you know that there is a better answer to your troubles.  I wish I could let you know that boys are silly and not worth the pain, since that is mostly what you are scratching each other over.  I'm sorry that you don't have adults in your life to show you how to work out issues in love.  I wish there was a place that  you could go and see that happening.  I want you to know that God is bigger than problem you ever come across.  I will pray for you all as the next semester approaches.  I will pray that God will bring you peace and love this Christmas.  I will pray that you are filled with thanksgiving for the friends you have and that when Satan tries to get between you, you will feel a peace inside and solve your issues in love.  I will pray that drama in your life seems small to the blessings you receive.  I will pray that adults in your life show you and each other love.

Love,
Lana

a letter to the girls at the high school where my husband teaches.  just something on my heart after hearing they have had at least 2 girl fights a day for a week.

Recent baby news.

I went to my 24 week appt. yesterday and things are going really well.

I got to meet the third of the midwives.  You meet all of them in case one is unavailable.  I really love all of them.  We have also met the doctor, but hopefully that will be the only time I have to see him.  I won't have a doctor unless something goes wrong.

I have now gained 21 lbs.  Most women gain about 10 at this point.  However, I have only gained it in my tummy so we aren't too worried.  In fact, I am really proud.

Also I got to hear the results of our last ultrasound.  He is in the 68% of weight.  So he's a little on the big side right now.  They did not see any sign of a cleft lip or pallet.  And he has all his parts.

Everything is going really well.  We could not be more thankful!

Day 30

I have so many things to be thankful for it's hard to choose on this last day.  So I'm thankful for life and for God who gave me life and Jesus who helps me out when I stink it up.

Day 29

I am thankful for my kinda job.  I call it a kinda job because I'm a sub.  So I don't know when I will work and if I don't want to work I can say no thanks.  I like that everyday I can leave the hard times in the room and not have to bring it home with me.  I like that my weeks look very different.  I can be in a classroom from every school and nothing is ever the same.  I like that I can be in the same school with Nathan sometimes.  I like that I'm known in most of the schools now.  I like that I know most of the students.  I like that I'm pretty good at my job, although I would never want to teach and I would be an awful teacher.  I like that when I have a doctor's appt or when the baby comes I can just say that I'm finished, no awkward talks or paperwork.  I like that somedays I can just be there half a day.  I like that I can just leave at the end of the day.  So even on days like today, when I had a kid throw up and a kid who wasn't paying attention and ran into another student and ended up with a bloody nose, busted lip, and a chipped tooth and a kid who would not listen to me even when I reminded her that I was the adult, I am still thankful for my kinda job.

Day 27 and 28

When we were at the Theology Lab in October we were asked to make a list of "Rules of Life."  I made mine and Nathan made his and when we got home we put them on our bathroom mirror.  I must confess that usually I am terrible at this kind of thing.  I'll do really well for a week and then forget about it.  But this time I have stuck with them.  I've made a commitment to do these rules until the baby gets here and then I will make new ones.  Life is always changing so your rules probably should too.
I've realized this past week that these rules are helping me be better.  I'm thankful for this.  I'm grateful that God knows what I need in certain seasons of my life.  I'm thankful that God is showing me how to be a better part of His Kingdom.
One of my rules was to speak only in love.  This one is really hard.  And I'm not always perfect.  But I've gotten better and that I am thankful for.  This rule may stay on my next list too.

Day 26

Today I'm thankful for getting to spend some time with Nathan.  It wasn't very much but I'll take it.  This Thanksgiving seems to be really busy and not restful, which is good.  But I really enjoyed coming home today and just hanging out with Nathan.  Tomorrow it's back to busy so I'm going to finish enjoying the time we have now.

I'm thankful for Boys!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Today I'm filled to the brim with thankfulness for our little boy.  We went for our ultrasound yesterday to make sure everything was ok and find out if it's a boy or girl.  It's a boy for sure.
I was totally convinced it was a girl.  All the old wives tales pointed to girl.  The Chinese Lunar Calendar said girl. Even the heart rate said girl.  I had dreams that it was a girl and just felt like it was. Obviously we didn't care what the sex would be but I am still in unbelief that we are having a boy.
I thank God so much for this blessing.

Day 24

Today I'm thankful for a relaxing day with my husband and niece.  It's been fun to bake and just lay around.

Day 23

I'm thankful for all the little kicks I've been feeling.  I still can't believe that we are going to be having a baby soon.  This is an amazing blessing and I'm enjoying feeling this little baby grow.

PS tomorrow we get to find out blue or pink!

22

Today I am thankful for the nice cold front that is coming through.  I love it when it decides to be fall here.