Just thinking....

I bought this shirt a while back. I thought it was hilarious and it was only $5. However I have been thinking a lot about what this shirt really means to me. A shirt? Really?... YES!

Mainly I have been pondering PERSONAL BODY IMAGE.

What is that? What is mine?

Well right now I am at what I find to be a very awkward stage of pregnancy.

I feel pregnant, but I don't look pregnant. To me... I just look "FAT"! Like I put on quite a few holiday pounds. I've noticed that I am critical of what I see in the mirror. I don't like it that my belly is at the squishy stage and there is no way I can suck it in. I don't like my pants starting to feel tight.

My body is changing... and I don't like.

But that is not what I really feel.

I am actually incredibly annoyed with my self for having any of those degrating thoughts.

Why is it so ingrained in our minds (men and women) that we are supposed to look a certain way. There are all sorts of different ways and levels to be healthy. It is different for everyone.

That is seriously one of my biggest pet peaves in this life.

Why do we compare ourselves to others. The Lord made our bodies just how they needed to be. Yes we should take care of them to the best we can. BUT that doesn't mean we will all look the same. That is the beauty of each of us. Our individuality.

Our UNIQUE-NESS!

This is a baby that we have been trying for over a year to get.

Anyone who has wanted a baby knows that the first moment you decide you want one, 9 months is too long to wait.

I really am so grateful that the Lord has given us this blessing. It is a miracle everytime a baby is concieved and even more of a miracle when that baby is born healthy and strong.

I have been blessed to experience that miracle 3 times.

So I should be delighted that my body is changing. That means my body is preparing an environment that will be safe and strong for this baby to be nourished and grow.

This is my 6th pregnancy so of course my body knows what it is supposed to be doing.

That is why I am showing so fast.

Everyone's body is different. Why would that not be the case for a pregnant body.

I gained 43 lbs with all 3 of my boys and each one I had different eating and excercise habits.

My body knows what to do and it is doing it.

So...

Does this baby make me look

FAT?

HEAVENS YES! And I LOVE IT!

And I vow from now on that I will NOT:

* compare what my body is doing to anyone else

or look at the changes dissapprovingly

I promise to:

*Trust my body

*Do my very best to keep this body healthy and strong

*Trust the Lord

*Be honored that HE has trusted me with this precious spirit

*Be Happy to "Look FAT"!

(I hope this post does not offend anyone. If so, I am sorry. Please come talk to me about it. I only wrote this to express my own thought processes and feelings.)

Here comes #4...

This is the poem Dan wrote to announce our Big News to our families.

(Think to the theme song for Beverly Hillbillies)

Got a little story 'bout a gal named Dee
was a little sick n tired of only having three
begged her husband Dan please to let her go for four
and it only took a year but now it looks like one's in store
(not more than one we hope)
Now it's not like the Jacob's weren't loud enough
keepin' tabs on rowdy boys is really rather rough
But I guess we have no choice but to give this one a whirl
But we're runnin' out of boy "T" names, so let's hope we have a girl!

Now just incase, your feeling pretty dim
I guess I'll have to be real blunt just to let it all set in
Deanne will soon be large with child, a bun's growin' yessiree
Will it be a boy or girl? Be sure to tell you all in three...
(Months that is)

Psst.... we're pretty excited!

I'm FAMOUS!!!

Well.... sort of...pretty much...by association maybe?...OK maybe not really famous....BUT...

I feel real honored to have been asked to do a guest post on my famous friend Mariel's blog.

Or So She Says...

So go ahead... click on that link...check it out!

Its a New Year...2010...

... and its time for new memories to be made.

I do love it when I find the boys happily engaged in creating.

One of my goals is to spend more time just hanging with my boys. Doing what THEY want to do. Whether it is playing cars, building cities out of Legos, coloring, running around the house playing follow the leader, wrestling, or just chatting about their day...the good and the bad.

It is also time for new commitments.
The boys set some goals this year:

Tracen: To let Tyler always be 1st in whatever they are doing.

Tyler: To be obedient (he's really trying hard on this one- love it)

Together: they decided they wanted start doing jobs again so they could earn money to do fun things together.

So.....

JOBS CHARTS were renewed.

I also began the new year with a good painting project.

The MASTER BATH...

(before)
(after)

Still trying to decide on the candle sconces. I think they are placed to close to the center "thing" and maybe they should not be at an equal level. Maybe one should be higher than the other. I also would like to get some coordinating towels, a rug, and paint the other walls a tan color. Suggestions? Ideas? What else does it need?

Anyway. I really do love painting. Paint can change the entire look of a room for relatively cheap. Love it. We have many more painting projects in the plans for this year. I am more than ready to get rid of every white wall in this house. So stay tuned.

I do hope all had a wonderful holiday season and wish the very best for all of us as we embark on a fabulous NEW YEAR!

MAY ALL OF OUR NEW YEAR DREAMS COME TRUE!