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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.

 

 

Well today my little bundle of joy woke me up with a kick to the ribs.  Yep she’s that big now.  Once I felt that old familiar pain, a feeling of utter annoyance welled up inside of me.  Faith would stick her feet under my ribs all the time when she was in my belly!  She still loves tucking her toes under me when we take naps together.  I hope my ribs won’t be baby girl’s favorite spot from now on.  I really hope not…

I’ve been looking for compression socks but omgoodness they are so expensive!  My feet are starting to swell.  Near the end of my pregnancy with Faith, my ankles and feet and calves were so swollen!  I could make indentations in my skin with my fingertips.  It was gross.  I never got compression socks, but with this pregnancy I want to prevent as much swelling as possible.   But the good quality ones specifically for pregnant women are ridiculously priced!   Look at these socks…  Women’s Closed Toe High Compression Socks.  Seriously!?  Over $80 dollars for ONE pair of socks!?  Good grief.

On the bright side, I’m really enjoying seeing Faith’s excitement as my belly grows.  She checks out my tummy every day, and she notices how big it’s getting.  She says, “When the leaves grow on the trees, and the flowers bloom, and the butterflies come out… then the baby will be here!”  I love hearing her thoughts on the pregnancy… and she has lots of things to say! :)  She even asks me when she sees me struggling to get up from the couch…”Do you need help?”  She grabs my hands and her tiny hands squeeze so hard as she tries to pull me up lol!  The other day she lost her grip and fell on her butt.  She is constantly making me laugh.

I know it’s still a little early, but I’m already anxious about getting my hospital bag prepared, and cleaning EVERYTHING.  I really want to move the fridge, oven, dishwasher, and washer and dryer so I can thoroughly clean under them.  I want to buy a small package of diapers, too, but I don’t want to stock up on tons of diapers until I know how big this girl will be.

28 weeks belly pic…

 

What baby looks like at 28 weeks…

By this week, your baby weighs 2 1/4 pounds (about the size of a large eggplant) and measures 14.8 inches from the top of her head to her heels. She can blink her eyes, which now sport lashes. With her eyesight developing, she may be able to see the light that filters in through your womb. She’s also developing billions of neurons in her brain and adding more body fat in preparation for life in the outside world.

 

Lots of news to share with you all this week.  I had my 1-hour glucose test done, and I failed it :(   After drinking the Glucola drink (that has 50 grams of sugar in it) they tested my blood an hour later.  The normal range of sugar content in the blood should be 70-139 … My number was 169.  So…. tomorrow I have to go to the hospital for my 3-hour glucose test to find out if I have gestational diabetes.  I have to drink Glucola that has 100 grams of sugar within 10 minutes.  I read that’s the equivalent to 1 liter of Coke!  I really hope I don’t get sick.  There can be side effects after drinking that much sugar.  Dizziness, fainting, puking.  If I become really sick, they will probably have to give me an insulin shot to quickly lower my blood sugar.  After I drink the Glucola,  I will have my blood taken 3 times… once every hour for 3 hours to see how my body is handling the sugar on its own.  You all know how much I hate needles, but I’m more nervous about getting sick from the Glucola.   Say a prayer that everything goes smoothly.

I also found out that I have anemia.  The normal range of iron in your blood should be 14-18.  Mine is 10.  So now I’m on iron supplements.  Iron causes constipation.  You may have read from my past posts that I am already severely constipated.  So… now I’m also taking Colace to help with bowel movements.

My blood pressure is climbing now, too.  It was 134/76.  My doctor is not too worried yet, but she wants to monitor my blood pressure more closely.  If it climbs to 140/90, that’s when it’s time to worry.

Needless to say, the 3rd trimester is not being kind to me.  At least I am now finding out why I am SO exhausted.  I mean terribly exhausted.  The other morning I woke up, got out of bed, made breakfast for Faith and then went straight to the couch to lay down.  I was very out of breath.  My heart was racing and I felt light headed.  Pure exhaustion… even after sleeping about 10 hours that night.   I do hope the iron supplements help with my energy level.  So far it has helped a little.  I can stand longer without feeling faint or out of breath, so that’s good.  I can’t say I have energy though.

 

29 weeks belly pic….

What baby girl looks like at 29 weeks…

 

Your baby now weighs about 2 1/2 pounds (about the size of a butternut squash) and is a tad over 15 inches long from head to heel. Her muscles and lungs are continuing to mature, and her head is growing bigger to make room for her developing brain. To meet her increasing nutritional demands, you’ll need plenty of protein, vitamins C, folic acid, and iron. And because her bones are soaking up lots of calcium, be sure to drink your milk (or find another good source of calcium, such as cheese, yogurt, or enriched orange juice). This trimester, about 250 milligrams of calcium are deposited in your baby’s hardening skeleton each day.

Today is Valentine’s Day!  Happy Valentines day to all my readers!  Last night we went out to Cracker Barrel for a Valentine’s dinner.

Our Valentine’s day started out well, but then ended up with lots of crying and tears :(  Aaron brought home two Nerf guns for Faith and a small box of chocolates.  She was so happy running around the house shooting Daddy.  Then, Aaron and her went into the office to make a Valentine’s card for me.  A few moment later, I heard Faith begin to cry louder and louder.  She came out of the office and said to me, “I don’t want to make a card for you!”  And she just bawled and bawled.  Aaron came out to show me a small lock of hair in his hand.  Faith cut her hair :(   And she already knew that was wrong.  We talked about that with her.  Aaron said he only turned away for a second to grab another sheet of paper, and when he turned around he saw she had cut her hair.  She said, “This hair was too long.”  So she cut it.  Well,  immediately after cutting her hair, she realized what she did.  She knew she made a mistake.  She cried for about an hour simply out of guilt.   We didn’t yell at her.  I think her regret was enough to break her heart.

Once she calmed down, I asked Aaron where the hair was because I had an idea.  He said he already did something with it.  He put the lock of hair in the Valentine’s card she made me.  That was exactly what I was wanting to do.  Great minds think alike :)

Let me mention something here before I go on…  Faith is obsessed with Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood.  It’s a cute PBS kid’s show that teaches children basic life lessons and they sing little tunes.  For example, one song Faith likes to sing from the show is, “When you feel so bad that you want to roar, take a deep breath and count to four.”   Then there’s another song she loves to sing…

So once she was calm, I set Faith on my lap and asked her, “Do you remember that song from Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood… “When something seems bad turn it around and find something good?”  She smiled and said, “Yes.”   I opened up the card she made me and showed her the lock of hair that Daddy taped in the card.  I said, “See, you cut your hair, and that was bad, but now it’s in the card you made me so I can keep it forever and ever.  Every time I open it, I’ll remember Faith’s little curl when she was 3 years old that was given to me on Valentine’s day.”  Tears were still wet on her cheek and I was trying not to cry (damn pregnancy hormones.)  I asked her again, “How does that song go again?”  She smile and sung it word for word, “When something seems bad turn it around and find something good!”

God I love her, and her Daddy so much.  We turned something bad into good.  I hope she’s learned her lesson, and most importantly I hope this experience has showed her that with love and patience, everything will turn out fine :)

I think that lock of hair will be more precious to me than the hair from her first haircut.

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.”  1 Corinthians 13:4-8