Baby on the Brain
It’s been a little quiet around my blog lately…it’s because I can’t think of anything else than my BIG ultrasound tomorrow morning where we find out if it’s a girl or boy. We would be excited for a boy or girl, but I’m more nervous about finding out if the baby is healthy. I’m so preocupied with thoughts of the appointment – I can hardly get work done, I can’t sleep and I’m just a nervous wreck. I have glimses of peace and then my mind starts wandering again. Please pray for me!
As proof of this “baby brain” as I like to call it, I accidentally posted my Social Security Number on Twitter this morning (thanks to everyone who responded to let me know!).
I can’t think of a worse thing to accidentally do on a social network. Can you?
7 comments February 25, 2009
Sin No More.
As I continue to experience more and more intimacy with the Lord, I also experience more and more times where I feel far away from Him, dirty and sinful. I allow fear to creep into my life and – POOF – I’m like a fatherless child with no where to run when only days before that I was resting comfortably in His arms.
When I feel far from God, I feel like I’m no closer to God than the meth addict in the back alley. Is that true? Has my sin made me as destitute as the liar or thief who has never accepted Jesus? Am I hopelessly searching for a close relationship with God when all I’ll find is a shameful girl and a distant father?
In searching for these answers, I realized I was asking the wrong question. The question isn’t if I’m guilty, dirty and far from God. The question is: Why can’t I accept my righteousness in Christ? Because there is no more sin. I’ll say it again – THERE IS NO MORE SIN!!!
2 Corinthians 5:21 – God made the one who knew no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we would become the righteousness of God.
Did you hear that? I’m the righteousness of God. I’m the righteousness of God. I’M THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD…
and I refuse to believe otherwise!
5 comments February 24, 2009
The Sound of Our Love
These are the 5 songs I could listen to forever:
- Bad – U2
- Romeo & Juliet- Dire Straights
- Danny’s Song – Loggins and Messina
- It’s Your Love – Mark Thomas
- Pony Man – Gordon Lightfoot
The reason I love these songs is because they are the soundtrack to my love affair with my husband:
- Bad – U2 – This song was playing during our first kiss.
- Romeo & Juliet- Dire Straights – We used to slow dance and sing this song while we were dating.
- Danny’s Song – Loggins and Messina – We played this song at our wedding and Mark still sings it to me
- It’s Your Love – Mark Thomas – Mark wrote this song after we had a miscarriage last year. It healed my soul.
- Pony Man – Gordon Lightfoot – Mark sings this song to the baby at night.
What songs could you listen to forever????
6 comments February 20, 2009
My Tearful Adventures
Mark hinted to me that I might be a tad bit hormonal lately. Of course, I completely denied it until these things happened last week:
- I sat down in my bosses office to let him know I wasn’t satisfied with my review. Before I could say two words, I was sobbing like a baby and couldn’t catch my breath. The poor man didn’t know what to do. I’m pretty sure I didn’t make any sense and made a complete fool out of myself. I haven’t cried at work in the 4 years I’ve been here. It was humiliating.
- During our lovely Valentine’s date, I yelled at the sweet movie attendant about the parking situation before bursting into tears and demanding our money back. Again, humiliated. Good thing Mark saved the night by getting me calm and taking me home for a movie.
- I have been craving doughnut holes for weeks. This morning, I finally went to the quaint, local doughnut shop by our house to indulge myself only to be sold STORE BOUGHT, STALE doughnut holes – Winchell’s, I will cut you. As soon as I got in my car, I cried.
I admit…I think I would have cried about the doughnuts – hormones or not!
14 comments February 17, 2009
I-Need-A-Vacation!!!!
I’m so swamped with work that don’t have time to check blogs, twitter, or write a post. I NEED A VACATION!!!
The best vacation I ever went on was to Cancun with Markie on our honeymoon. Margaritas and french fries on the beach are delightful combination. We wanna go back before the baby comes (sans the margaritas).
What’s the best vacation you’ve ever had??? OR Where’s your dream vacation???
11 comments February 10, 2009
My Biggest Fear of Pregnancy…
I’m terrified…TERRIFIED…of getting a F A T F A C E. I’m completely obsessed with the idea that my cheeks will get so puffy that you won’t be able to see my eyes.
I even sleep sitting up most of the night (because I read somewhere that helps with facial swelling). I also wear this every night:
C’mon…you gotta love this contraption!
12 comments February 5, 2009
Valentine’s Day – Jimenez Style
Valentine’s Day is like my second birthday. Even now, I’m counting down and trying to decide what we should do for our big V day.
Mark and I celebrate in a big way – here’s why…
Every year, my dad would send balloons and candy to me at school. It was a simple gesture, but I was usually the only little girl walking home with a beautiful and very public display of affection from my daddy. It always made me feel so special and loved. My dad always made me feel loved, but on this very special day, all of my classmates knew I was special in my daddy’s eyes. Even now as an adult, my dad sends me something for Valentine’s day.
Now, Mark has graciously carried on this tradition by taking me somewhere special, showering me with gifts, love, and attention. He has yet to fail to sweep me off of my feet. It’s not that I need the reminder of how much he loves me or that material things bring me joy – it simply reminds me of walking home with a smile on my face and a heart-shaped balloon around my wrist.
I refuse to let this holiday be something that greeting card companies made up (as so many jaded people have described it).
Do you celebrate V-day????
6 comments February 2, 2009
A Change of Pace
Since we have had so many layoffs and budget cuts, my job has completely transformed from shopping and planning parties to editing HTML all day. It’s definitely a change of pace. I’m dreaming in code and ready for my old job back (even though that may never happen).
I’m completely stressed out about maternity leave and if they won’t need me again when I actually return. So, I’ll take any job they give me…here’s to HTML!!!!!
<head>
<b>Ode to Job</b>
</head>
<body>
<p style=text align: left>I still love my job, but…</p>
<p style=text align: left><b>I still dream of the day when I can be a stay at home mom.</b></p>
<p style=text align: left>I guess it’s better than not having a job at all…RIGHT?!?!</p>
<p style=text align: left>I’ve said my peace, now back to work.</p>
</body>
DO YOU LIKE YOUR JOB???
7 comments January 29, 2009
If You Got It, Flaunt It
I’ve read a lot of posts where people want you to tell them one thing you would change or improve about yourself if you could. Well, I don’t need to think one more bad thing about myself. I really need to boost my self esteem and remind myself of why I’m such a fine specimen, so…
Tell me what you would keep? What do you love about yourself? Personality? Physical feature?
Come on…if you got it, flaunt it…Right? Let’s do something to feel good about ourselves.
I would keep my eyes. They are a unique color and usually a conversation starter! Tell me what you got, don’t be shy:
13 comments January 27, 2009
OUCH!
OK, I know I said I didn’t want to talk about it, but that post was really directed at “negative strangers”. So if you are someone I love or a blog friend, I welcome your advice and conversations…
Now that that’s out of the way, I am only 15 weeks and I’m incredibly uncomfortable already and my hips are so sore, I can barely walk…what do I do??? Bring on the advice people – I’m desperate!
18 comments January 26, 2009
I don’t wanna talk about it
Mark and I have had a long and personal journey in 2008. Now that we have our little miracle baking in the oven, I am finding that I don’t want to talk about it much with others.
I don’t want to hear about your sister who also had a miscarriage, I don’t want to hear your delivery horror stories, I don’t want to pray with you about it, I don’t want to tell you my baby names, I don’t want to hear your opinion on having twins (no, I’m not having twins), I don’t want you to ask me if I’m drinking enough water and I don’t want you to touch my belly (unless I have explicitly invited your hand there.) People have actually scrunched up their noses when I told them my baby names – who wants that!?!?!?
I don’t think this is selfish of me, more than anything, I’m trying to stay away from negative comments that would bring fear into my heart. I’m burying this promise deep in my heart so you can’t trash it or give me your negative opinion about it.
Or…maybe I’m just hormonal!
27 comments January 22, 2009
To Know Him Now
Mark beautifully recounted the memorial service that we attended yesterday for the miraculous life of Mason.
The young couple that lost Mason never knew Jesus, attended a church service or even prayed before they found out about the fate of their precious child. When the doctors told them at just 5 months pregnant that Mason wouldn’t live more than 10 minutes after birth, they found the closest church (ORCC) and gave their lives to Christ.
I got to meet them shortly after they started attending ORCC, and they have radically changed my life. Their faith, their understanding of the Word, their hunger for the Holy Spirit – it all took me by surprise. How could such “baby Christians” already have such an amazing grasp on loving Jesus? Shouldn’t their faith be shaken? Shouldn’t they lose hope faster than I do? Even now, after they lost Mason, they are still an inspiration and encouragement to me.
It makes me wonder what I may have lost in translation being raised in church. Have I become numb by reciting “church-isms”, singing songs, and quoting scripture that I don’t fully understand myself? Did faith lose it’s true meaning as I was praying for my 10-speed bike to be fixed and my barbie to be found? Did Jesus become a character like Santa or the tooth fairy?
What would it be like if I heard the Word and accepted Jesus as my savior for the first time NOW as an adult? Lord, I pray that I can hear your Word and follow your Holy Spirit with passion as if today was the first day I ever knew you.
Thank you, Mason…
6 comments January 20, 2009
Vegetables Get in the Way
I have a theory about vegetables – they just get in the way!
- Salad is not food – it’s like drinking water before a meal so you don’t eat as much.
- Carrots, celery and cucumbers are just creative methods to get ranch to my mouth.
- Don’t even think about putting them on my sandwich – I’ll have to cut you…nothing comes between the meat, cheese and bread.
My dilemma is that the baby needs vegetables. There’s no room for me and my theories, preferences, or stubbornness. I have no choice in the matter. So for the next 6 months, bring on the veggies (still not in my sandwich!!!), the almonds, the ridiculous amount of water, prenatal vitamins and exercise on the treadmill.
This may be the biggest sacrifice I’ve made so far…
13 comments January 15, 2009
To Move a Heart and Fill a Congregation
What moves people? How can you get them to listen to your message? How do you get them to come to your church?
I say, the only way – ONLY WAY – is through the power of the Holy Spirit and the love of Christ which is the only thing that can compell a man’s heart.
If this is true, why do we have to spend so much time on programs, gimicks, get togethers, and great lighting? I challenge us to look at the great revivals of our past. Revivals set up in dirty tents with uncomfortable seating. The people were hungry and desperate to experience a move of God.
I don’t believe the people who attend Hillsong Church go for the amazing light show – the Holy Spirit is truly present in that place. If your church is dwindling in numbers, I promise, it’s not the hole in the carpet or the lack of a 30 something group that’s keeping people away.
The people are still hungry and desperate!
7 comments January 13, 2009
Technology Woes
- Recently, I lost my blackberry curve. (issued and paid for by work) I have decided to make the embarrassing confession to my IT department and boss this week.
- Last week, my iPhone battery died with no hope of resuscitation. The friendly people at the Apple store gladly swapped it for a brand new iPhone in a matter of 10 minutes.
- Unfortunately, the new iPhone keeps disconnecting my work email and also has a broken button. I see another trip to the Apple store in my future.
Do you think God is trying to tell me something?
4 comments January 12, 2009
