Merry Christmas! This year has been an interesting one for us as it was the first year that Brendan and I stayed at our own home for Christmas and decorated a tree. With my current state of pregnant-ness, traveling just wasn't really a smart option, so we just decided to stay put and have a low key Christmas enjoying each other. I'm 37 weeks now which means Luke is full term and can come at any time now! Although I've been having contractions every once in a while, I've never been too concerned that I was going into labor or anything. I still feel pretty good but I get tired easily and my feet hurt if I stand or walk for too long... for instance if I go to Chapel Hill for the day and walk around a lot... which we did Monday.
For Christmas Eve, Brendan invited about 13 of his Soldiers who weren't home for Christmas over for a home cooked meal. I made ham, mashed potatoes, stuffing, salad, cranberry cheesecake and some awesome stuffed dinner rolls. Luckily, I was able to do most of the preparation the day before and just stick the sides in the oven to warm up on Christmas Eve which made it so much less stressful! I didn't go crazy decorating either because I wanted to make sure it was easy enough to take down and that cleaning could be done quickly in case of emergency... for instance, my water breaking. Here are some photos of our kitchen set for max capacity, and our living room!
After they left, we tried to go to a candle light service at a local church with one of our friends... we ended up at the wrong church with a similar name 20 minutes away from the right one. We decided to go anyways and made it in time for the last few songs. Moral of that story is: don't let the pregnant person research churches because she'll probably get it wrong.
I couldn't resist getting out my camera and testing out the new tripod my parents got me as a baby shower gift, so I convinced Brendan to let me dress up the dogs and take a few photos by the tree!
Today, we just woke up and exchanged presents, watched the Grinch, and then headed over to friends from church's house for some chili and a lot of Christmas cookies. Last Sunday, our pastor spoke about how Jesus was supposed to bring peace, and how in this life, it's difficult because we don't see it yet, and it's sometimes difficult to endure and hold onto that hope we have found in Jesus especially when we have trouble seeing God in the mess of our world. Over the past few weeks, I have been made aware of just how difficult this reality is as I watch friends deal with circumstances that I can hardly begin to imagine. I read an excerpt of a Tim Keller sermon and thought I would post it here since he can explain the joy in Christmas despite life's burdens much better than me:
2000 years ago, Christ was born into obscurity in a barn. He spent his life loving those considered unlovable, performing miracles and living in a world that he knew would never understand him, and that would kill him. God did this for us so that one day when we stand in front of him, we will know that our failures have been forgiven because Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace lived the life we should have lived and died the death we deserved so that when we call upon Him, He could take our guilt and shame, and we could be considered spotless and perfect in God's eyes. No matter what our daily struggles are, and how many times we blow it again and again, this promise is enough. This life's struggles are worth the eternity that Jesus Christ was born to give those who believe in Him.
“If you’re bearing burdens, if you’re struggling with the life issues and real troubles (and an awful lot of people are), Christmas is a tough time. The message is, ‘You should have fun. This is Christmas!’ That just makes it worse. Suffering people at Christmas want to know, ‘On what basis does Christmas really offer me joy? Why should I be merry?’ The answer is this: If Christmas really happened — if God really did break into our broken reality with his healing power, and if he really became a human being — Christmas gives us a solid basis for joy we can have in any circumstance.” Tim Keller: [2006 Christmas sermon
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and His name shall be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, PRINCE OF PEACE. Isaiah 9:6From our family to yours, Merry Christmas.
.JPG)
Total weight gain/loss: 35.. before Christmas
Maternity clothes? ughhhhh
Stretch marks? Still none so far!
Sleep: not great
Best moment this week: Christmas festivities
Miss Anything? being able to get up without a crane assisting me
Movement:all the time.
Food cravings: sour patch kids, brownies, cranberry juice, hot chocolate
Anything making you queasy or sick: nope
Have you started to show yet: yeah, strangers try to touch my belly
Labor Signs: infrequent contractions
Belly Button in or out? OUT
Wedding rings on or off? On.
Happy or Moody? Happy and exhausted
Looking forward to: Doctor's appointment on Friday, New Years, and meeting this little man
No comments:
Post a Comment