Showing all posts by Sherry

I’m 40 years old.  Is it disheartening to me?  No.  If you would’ve told me at age 20 that at age 40 I would’ve been married just 4 years, have a 3 year old daughter, pregnant with another one, and about to get my college degree I would’ve laughed.   After all, these are all things that happen in your 20’s … or one would hope so.  Society thinks so… and frankly, that’s what most likely happens to the majority of us in our 20’s.

Then I found this article by Patton Dodd…

 

Why Life Begins at 40

“Turning 40 is totally awesome. You should try it just as soon as you can — I’m going to try it tomorrow.

There are a lot of fun things to say about 40.  It’s the number of weeks humans gestate before birth. It’s the highest number ever counted to on Sesame Street.  But then I remembered the Bible…

During the great flood in Genesis, the rains fall for 40 days and 40 nights. When the clouds part, Noah waits another 40 days for the waters to recede. Isaac marries Rebekah at 40. After Moses kills an Egyptian, he spends 40 years tending flocks in the desert. Later, he spends 40 days and nights on the mountain receiving the Law, and 40 years wandering the wilderness before seeing the Promised Land. Spies will soon investigate that land for 40 days. In the Book of Jonah, Ninevah is given 40 days to repent. In 1 Samuel, Goliath taunts the Israelites for 40 days before David takes him down. Ezekiel lays on his side for 40 days. Jesus fasts for 40 days and nights, then spends 40 days with his disciples between his resurrection and ascension. Forty years pass between Jesus’ crucifixion and the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem.

That’s a lot of 40s, and there are tons more. Can you guess how many writers it took to write the Bible, according to the Christian tradition? Yep: 40

The Bible uses the number 40 to evoke a period of testing, trial, and deep learning — a journey toward a place that might have better access to milk and honey, substance and sweets. (Exodus, a book about an incredible journey, was divided into 40 chapters.) And as I think about all these stories, and about mine, this sense of 40 rings deeply true. Life begins at 40 because you’ve traveled just enough to know what your life is, what it has been and what you want it to be on down the line.”

 

This is a great article.  It’s all about living, learning and waiting, no matter how long it takes.  I am reminded of a verse in the Bible…  “They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles, they shall run and not be weary, and they shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31.

As young children we aren’t fully aware yet that we have a big future ahead of us.  Lots of lessons to experience and milestones to accomplish.  Then as teenagers we’re aware of our future and dream about success and happy endings.   However, during my teens, all roads led to dead-ends.  I drifted away from God despite being raised in a Christian home and attending Church my entire childhood.  I was wandering in the wilderness with no sight of the promised land.  I had no interest in finding my way out.

God had other plans for me though.  He was just waiting for me to come back to Him.  “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps.” Proverbs 16:9.

It wasn’t until age 20 that I began seeking Him again with a passion I’ve never had before.  I began truly wanting God’s purpose for me.   I prayed for a husband and family and lifestyle that glorified Him.  However, He had me wait… and wait and wait and wait.

God allowed me to wander in the wilderness during my adolescence.  During my 20’s He had me spend time alone on that mountain learning His law.

He finally began answering my prayers in my mid 30’s.  And it all began with a prize minivan.  Which was spent to buy a fixer upper house.  Which led me to meet this handsome fixer-upper guy :)  We began dating and my Daddy led him to Christ!  Which led us down the aisle in marriage.  Which led to the birth of our daughter, Faith, and now our new baby girl on the way!

Looking back, I can see now how strategic the Lord’s plans were, and how He carefully directed my steps, and also the steps of my husband.  Wait on His timing.  He knows what He’s doing!

Now at age 40, life is a roller coaster!  I’m taking my final class right now, and will get my degree in Early Childhood Education this May!  I have a 3 year old to chase around, and right this moment a baby girl is kicking wildly in my tummy.  My husband is the best partner I could ever have during this wild ride.  I am blessed.  God has certainly filled my cup to overflowing. Psalm 23:5.  And all I had to do is be patient and wait on Him.

I’m 40 years old.  I have wings like an Eagle!  I am running with excitement towards my future.  I’m not weary!  God’s plans for me are just beginning!

 

“He has watched over your journey through this vast wilderness. These forty years the Lord your God has been with you…”  Deuteronomy 2:7.

 

 

 

I found this bookmark and picture with Bible verse while fixing up my house.  He was leaving me reminders that He was with me every step of the way.

 

 

I am officially into my 3rd trimester now!  Yay! Thank you Jesus!

Next week I’ll be going in for my glucose test to see if I have gestational diabetes.  A little nervous about this test.  I have to drink a super sweet drink called Glucola and then wait around an hour to get blood drawn.  If my sugar levels are too high, I have to have another test done at the hospital which will last for about 4 hours.  I don’t mind how long it takes.  I just want to make sure if I have it or not so I can have my health more closely monitored if needed.

I’m starting to have swelling in my hands and feet.  My feet were water logged when I was pregnant with Faith.  I hope it doesn’t get that bad again.  I’m still lying down as much as I can because the longer I am sitting or standing, the more my core muscles ache and stretch.  It’s a miserable feeling.

27 weeks belly pic…

 

What baby looks like at 27 weeks…

This week, your baby weighs almost 2 pounds (about the size of a head of cauliflower) and is about 14 1/2 inches long with her legs extended. She’s sleeping and waking at regular intervals, opening and closing her eyes, and perhaps even sucking her fingers. With more brain tissue developing, your baby’s brain is very active now. While her lungs are still immature, they would be capable of functioning — with a lot of medical help — if she were to be born now. Chalk up any tiny rhythmic movements you may be feeling to a case of baby hiccups, which may be common from now on. Each episode usually lasts only a few moments, and they don’t bother her, so just relax and enjoy the tickle.

I’m a little late with this week’s blog post.  I’m usually busy all day with house chores and Faith.  By the time the evening rolls around (usually by 5 o’clock) my belly is hurting and I’m extremely fatigued.  I have no motivation to blog.  I’ve been going to bed as early as 7:30.  This pregnancy has caused much more fatigue than when I was pregnant with Faith.

I know that about half of pregnant women will have bouts of constipation at some point during their pregnancy, but my goodness, I can’t stand it anymore. I think I’m drinking enough fluids and I’m definitely eating more fiber, but I’ve been having bad abdominal cramps and still no bowel movements.  Laxatives are not suggested during pregnancy because it can stimulate uterine contractions.  Ugh… a few more months then maybe once baby is born I’ll get back to normal.

We are getting closer to choosing a name for our baby girl, but still not completely sure.  We will probably just wait until she is born to announce a name for her so we can change our minds at the last minute if we really want to :)

26 weeks belly pic!  (Faith is practicing her numbers.  These will probably stay up for the rest of our belly pics. )

 

What baby girl looks like at 26 weeks…

 

The network of nerves in your baby’s ears is better developed and more sensitive than before. She may now be able to hear both your voice and your partner’s as you chat with each other. She’s inhaling and exhaling small amounts of amniotic fluid, which is essential for the development of her lungs. These so-called breathing movements are also good practice for when she’s born and takes that first gulp of air. Your baby is continuing to put on baby fat. She now weighs about 1 2/3 pounds and measures 14 inches (about the size of a scallion) from head to heel.