If you could name one things about me, what would it be?
That I feel free to speak up.
That I love working with kids?
Maybe that I HATE the cold? Ding, ding ding!
This year I am particularly grateful to have moved off of the entire Continental United States of America. You guys have had it cold! I don't know how NJ (where we were last stationed) is dealing with the 28+ inches of snow in some places. Today is another day in Paradise. We are in the upper 70's with shining sun. So those of you who are grateful to our family for severing in the military, you are welcome. :) I wouldn't have it any other way. This weather is amazing. And it's February 11!
Now for the real update -- Babys' update!
Connor is weighing about 4 lbs, 12 oz
Caleb is weighing about 5 lbs and 1/2 pounds
Have you done that math on that one? I am a woman carrying more than 10 pounds of baby with 6 & 1/2 weeks left until my due date! Can you say you have carried around that much baby? I think I get the "real woman for March" award!
Each boy is estimated to put on about 1 1/2 more pounds and then they will be delivering. Which brings us to our next update.
We will probably be delivering around March 10 as long as I don't go into labor earlier. Next week I should have a better date, as in I see my OB/GYN and his schedule book. We are no longer scheduled to have any more big, super, duper sonograms because we are so close to delivery! Yeah for passing a milestone.
While the Dr. was looking in there today, I asked if the boys are still boys. Yep, they are definitely still boys. I could see the parts that make them boys, even with my untrained eye.
I do have gestational diabetes. So I have to start pricking my finger and monitoring my blood sugar. I have to watch my diet and need to try and get some exercise in. With M coming home soon, maybe I will have some time to go to the outdoor heated pool up and Camp Hansan and do some moving around. A pool would be a place I would feel "not pregnant" so I am going to look into this.
Speaking of M, he was supposed to be coming home on Friday. His flight was cancelled and it looks like he'll be home on Sunday. We are disappointed, but at least he will get one full day of rest in the hotel before coming home to the very long list of things I am hoping he is willing to do as we make the last little preparations for the babies. Maybe this was God's way of giving M a break before he comes home and jumps into a crazy couple of months.
This post would not be complete without letting you know again how wonderful my friends here are! For the last several weeks, a lot of us have husbands away. So we have been trading off having dinner at one another homes'. It has been great. Then today my friend, J, watched L while I had the loooong Dr. appt. My neighbor friend, E, came over too and between them both, they did my laundry, dishes, put toys away, and took all the trashes out. How can it be that so many wonderful people are in my life all the time. I am such a blessed person!
Ok, this mama has one baby girl awake and over 10 lbs of baby to feed an afternoon snack. This real woman is signing off.
Have a wonderfully wonderful day!
B
You know that mama or not, preggo or not, wife or not; I believe all women are real women. I am just finding a fun way to celebrate carrying so much baby. Carrying over 13 pounds of baby by the time this is all said and done is definitely a feet. (sp?)
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Mama-san!
Oh we love our mama-san! And I wonder if we are adjusted to living here since L has played "mama-san" in the hallway with our 5-year old neighbor. I don't think L quite understood what she was pretending, but the girls asked for brooms, dustpans and mops. They proceeded to play "mama-san" by pretending to clean the hallway. Have we lived in Okinawa too long?
Several other nuances about living in Okinawa include:
1. The Okinawans like to drive in the middle of the road and MIGHT move out of your way if you don't move first. I think because by looking at the license plate you can tell if it is an American driver or National, the Nationals expect the Americans to move out of the way.
2. Okinawans respect when you try to use Japanese.
3. The fruit here is amazing!
4. The weather is still warm many days. Yesterday the high was 68* which I adore!
5. The Okinawans like to look at blue eyes. They are all in awe of L's blue eyes and repeatedly compliment her.
6. The local people are fascinated by the fact that we are having twins. Twins are not very common in Japanese people, so they are very interested in the fact that we are having 2 boys at the same time.
7. Okinawan women, especially older women, like to rub pregnant bellies -- even more so when they find out its twins. In America this drove me insane and I snapped at strangers who would are to touch me. Here it doesn't bother me that much. I just smile. Don't know why that is so different.
Now for some updates.
Today, several of my amazing friends and neighbors gathered for a shower in honor of Caleb and Connor. About 30 minutes before the shower I started getting really excited. I hadn't realized that this shower was going to be such a blessing for me! I have struggled with the idea of having two newborns at once, but this shower put excitement into the pregnancy for me! All the griping I have done to M, the sleepless nights, soreness, and my impatience with L have not been easy to live with -- for my family or myself. I then feel guilty about being such a pain in the neck on top of being hugely uncomfortable and grouchy. My women's' Bible study group is praying and helping me along with this...but man oh man are there days I think L wishes she had a different mama. So, this shower really came to mean a lot to me! I am grateful for the effort and thought that went into our blessing. I am grateful for the excitement that those around us are sharing with us! I am grateful for God using people in our lives. I am grateful I only have 5 to 6 weeks left of being pregnant!!!!
I hope that someday soon I can start to be a blessing to others! I feel like I have been just leeching others for help and support the last two years (while M was on the hellish year of recruiting and while being preggo with twins). However, I do recognize that I am not super-mom and at this point in our lives, our focus is on our family. Maybe in another 6 -8 months when we have gotten closer to having the twins thing under control we can find people who need support.
So thank you for kind words and loving on our family! We are so blessed to have 3 healthy kids who will hopefully grow into God-fearing, independent contributing citizens of the world! Thank you all for helping us along on this journey.
(I also hope that by being honest on this blog about my thoughts and feelings, that another person who may be in a rough spot will be encouraged. Its ok to feel your feelings! Just don't let your feelings control your life.)
Have a wonderfully wonderful day!
B
Several other nuances about living in Okinawa include:
1. The Okinawans like to drive in the middle of the road and MIGHT move out of your way if you don't move first. I think because by looking at the license plate you can tell if it is an American driver or National, the Nationals expect the Americans to move out of the way.
2. Okinawans respect when you try to use Japanese.
3. The fruit here is amazing!
4. The weather is still warm many days. Yesterday the high was 68* which I adore!
5. The Okinawans like to look at blue eyes. They are all in awe of L's blue eyes and repeatedly compliment her.
6. The local people are fascinated by the fact that we are having twins. Twins are not very common in Japanese people, so they are very interested in the fact that we are having 2 boys at the same time.
7. Okinawan women, especially older women, like to rub pregnant bellies -- even more so when they find out its twins. In America this drove me insane and I snapped at strangers who would are to touch me. Here it doesn't bother me that much. I just smile. Don't know why that is so different.
Now for some updates.
Today, several of my amazing friends and neighbors gathered for a shower in honor of Caleb and Connor. About 30 minutes before the shower I started getting really excited. I hadn't realized that this shower was going to be such a blessing for me! I have struggled with the idea of having two newborns at once, but this shower put excitement into the pregnancy for me! All the griping I have done to M, the sleepless nights, soreness, and my impatience with L have not been easy to live with -- for my family or myself. I then feel guilty about being such a pain in the neck on top of being hugely uncomfortable and grouchy. My women's' Bible study group is praying and helping me along with this...but man oh man are there days I think L wishes she had a different mama. So, this shower really came to mean a lot to me! I am grateful for the effort and thought that went into our blessing. I am grateful for the excitement that those around us are sharing with us! I am grateful for God using people in our lives. I am grateful I only have 5 to 6 weeks left of being pregnant!!!!
I hope that someday soon I can start to be a blessing to others! I feel like I have been just leeching others for help and support the last two years (while M was on the hellish year of recruiting and while being preggo with twins). However, I do recognize that I am not super-mom and at this point in our lives, our focus is on our family. Maybe in another 6 -8 months when we have gotten closer to having the twins thing under control we can find people who need support.
So thank you for kind words and loving on our family! We are so blessed to have 3 healthy kids who will hopefully grow into God-fearing, independent contributing citizens of the world! Thank you all for helping us along on this journey.
(I also hope that by being honest on this blog about my thoughts and feelings, that another person who may be in a rough spot will be encouraged. Its ok to feel your feelings! Just don't let your feelings control your life.)
Have a wonderfully wonderful day!
B
Sunday, January 17, 2010
A few more pictures. On Christmas Eve Santa was brought to our housing area by firetruck. Since L kept saying "Ho, ho, ho" and signing all done, (little scared of Santa) we skipped going downstairs to see him. She was perfectly content to watch from our 6th floor balcony. One of the pics is at the table in the chow hall with dada and Uncle Baba (Brandon, my brother).
Today L was not feeling her best. Runny nose, horse voice, you know - a kid cold. She was a little irritating to both M and I so I asked L if we could sell her to the gypsies. She said, "No, Baba." I guess when Uncle Brandon gets back from his one month trip, she is going to live with him :) We both cracked up and fell in love with her all over again!
Hope you enjoy the pics...obviously trying to do catch up.
Soon to come are pics of the boys' room. We started painting today and it is looking cute! We have moved L into her new room and she is adjusting. After we finish the boys' room, we will be doing L's room too. We have her big girl bed all set up and are doing some playtime in there, but no sleeping yet. We will want her in the big girl bed in the next 6 months, but no rush. She has enough to deal with when adding in two newborns in the next 7 to 8 weeks.
Speaking of newborns. I get to a point where I am excited about having Caleb and Connor. Then, honestly, the next moment I am freaking out. Not looking for advice here, but just being honest. I think most of my struggle is not knowing what our lives are going to look like. I know what it is like to add one baby to the mix and I have a pretty good idea of what it would have looked to add a second baby to the mix. But 2 newborns at once is scary. Again -- no advice at this moment please - having pregnant moment and just venting. We are grateful for my mom who is coming for 2 weeks right when the boys are born and grateful to M's mom and step-dad who are coming for almost a month to help. Did I mention that M's step-father is a chef --- yeah us!!! So I keep telling myself and M keeps telling me it will be okay. Maybe once these pregnancy hormones are out of my system and I am holding the two bundles in my arms all will be well with the world!!!!
I haven't posted for family far away the new things L is doing for quite awhile so here goes:
Multiple two word phrases.
Trying to tell us stories.
Sitting and reading her books.
Jabbering (with lots of new sounds showing up in the jabber) as she plays.
She is probably up to about 70-80 words, but I am trying not to be obsessive and have stopped writing down each word.
Pretend playing with her dolls, toys and us.
She LOVES "Melmo" or Elmo as we know him.
She pees in the potty every couple of times when sitting on it. Has started to tell me when she is wet and tells me when she has pooped.
She is sensitive in that if you get hurt, she is there comforting you.
She is making friends. She LOVES to play with our 5 year old neighbor. This little girl is amazing with L! We are grateful L's first friend is so kind and sweet with L.
L likes to help with chores -- sweeping, putting dishes away, dusting.
If you have an itch, she likes to help you scratch it (can't figure out why).
She will say two and eight when counting objects.
She will answer "2" when asked how many babies we are having. She know the babies are in mommy's tummy. When we get new baby stuff, she points to it and says "baby" because that stuff is for the babies.
She loves to eat from shop sticks. And she especially enjoys Japanese noodles.
She will now tell you "No" if she doesn't like or want to do something.
She tries to care for kids who are younger than her and is very concerned if their mama isn't helping as quickly as she thinks the mama should.
Those are the newest things I can think of. Probably missing some because I have pregnancy brain times two, but you get the idea that she is doing well and growing up.
Have a wonderfully wonderful day!
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Our Christmas Scene
Some pictures from our Christmas Scene. We loved decorating and being able to enjoy the decorations this year. The last two years in a row we were immediately moving right after Christmas, so everything came down quick. We loved having my brother over during Christmas. We had homemade waffles Christmas morning and then tried a meal the the Chow Hall. Will not be doing that again!
A few pics coming soon.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Lou Lou
Just a few pictures to share.
I heard L saying "Hewo" and when I walked in, this is what I found. L multi-tasking.
L helping get the carseats ready for Caleb and Connor.
L coming home from the hospital.
I heard L saying "Hewo" and when I walked in, this is what I found. L multi-tasking.
L helping get the carseats ready for Caleb and Connor.
L coming home from the hospital.
Monday, December 7, 2009
Good Housekeeping
Oh man, oh man! Today a crew from Okinawa Good Housekeeping came to do the initial cleaning. what can I say but amazing, awesome, glorious! The company sent three cleaners to do the first time cleaning and I am overwhelmed with gratitude. I think because my house will be in regular order, I will be a better mother. I am much more patient and joyful with L when the house is in better shape. I was telling my friend A this (the friend who had been doing my bathrooms and last week did everything) but I don't think she really appreciates how grateful I am to have support. And life really is so much better for L because I am better.
So any house cleaner out there--you make so much more of a difference for families than I think you can even know. My quality of life is greatly improved! Thank you helpers for helping the families who need you!
I was thinking about hiring help! At first I was ashamed that I needed or wanted help. Then embarrassed. Then acceptance. You know, back 100 years ago most moms were stay-at-home-moms and most moms had at least one full-time helper. Then along came minimum wage and that was the slow down of in-the-home helpers. For most of human existance moms had their family in the same village, then moms could hire someone to replace the family support for living far away. Now moms are to do it all on their own -- no wonder post-partum is rearing its ugly head more frequently.
I am not depressed, just tired from being pregnant with twins and doing life with a one year old. I am so grateful for the help we have now coming one per week! I am grateful for the support and love our news friends and church have provided. I am hoping to start giving some back since we have found a church home.
Some praises:
I am still sleeping better
L has been a JOY to be with the last couple of weeks. We went through some rough spots, so I am super thankful that the last couple of weeks have been so pleasant.
M is loving his job! He is in charge of a platoon and he is really enjoying taking care of Marines.
Okinawa Good Housekeeping
3 healthy children so far!
We are still liking living in Okinawa. The food is so yummy! The culture we are adjusting to.
Our new church is pretty cool
Hope you have joyful things going on in your life right now!
So any house cleaner out there--you make so much more of a difference for families than I think you can even know. My quality of life is greatly improved! Thank you helpers for helping the families who need you!
I was thinking about hiring help! At first I was ashamed that I needed or wanted help. Then embarrassed. Then acceptance. You know, back 100 years ago most moms were stay-at-home-moms and most moms had at least one full-time helper. Then along came minimum wage and that was the slow down of in-the-home helpers. For most of human existance moms had their family in the same village, then moms could hire someone to replace the family support for living far away. Now moms are to do it all on their own -- no wonder post-partum is rearing its ugly head more frequently.
I am not depressed, just tired from being pregnant with twins and doing life with a one year old. I am so grateful for the help we have now coming one per week! I am grateful for the support and love our news friends and church have provided. I am hoping to start giving some back since we have found a church home.
Some praises:
I am still sleeping better
L has been a JOY to be with the last couple of weeks. We went through some rough spots, so I am super thankful that the last couple of weeks have been so pleasant.
M is loving his job! He is in charge of a platoon and he is really enjoying taking care of Marines.
Okinawa Good Housekeeping
3 healthy children so far!
We are still liking living in Okinawa. The food is so yummy! The culture we are adjusting to.
Our new church is pretty cool
Hope you have joyful things going on in your life right now!
Twins Pregnancy!
First off, thank you, thank you thank you for your prayers! The last 6 nights have been full of sleep! I am so grateful that God would take time to answer a tiny little prayer about sleeping!
Next, I am so grateful to my neighbor A, who has been cleaning my bathrooms and last week the whole house! She has been such a servant with this wide-load who has trouble standing or bending over.
Third, I have to tell you that I am a stay-at-home-mom who is willing to ask for help. And I have a husband who is willing to support that asking for help! We are getting a Mama-san!!! I think I spelled that correctly. You see, help here in Japan is ridiculously cheap. For 4 hours a week, we can have a woman come who will clean the whole house for only $68. I find that a huge bargain. That is $17 an hour! With my ability to move, bend over, sit on the floor or stand for any length of time quickly becoming non-existent, we are getting help. I am so grateful to be able to say "I need help" and for M to say "I agree" and for God to provide the resources to take care of this request! We also recognize that my gift in life might be working with children, but it is definitely NOT laundry and dishes. I hate doing them, I hate looking at them and therefore they are done when I get up the gumption to just finally get the job done. So now we will have someone helping us along. We also agree that after the boys are born (AHHHHHH, twin boys!!!!) cleaning will not be a priority. Taking care of L, and the boys will be our focus and sleeping when they sleep. So I am grateful to be living in a place where we can hire trusted helpers to do just that...help us over the next several months.
You know you are pregnant with twins when:
* People ask you if you are due any day and you are only 5 1/2 months pregnant.
* All pregnant women have to roll out of bed, not usually until the end of the pregnancy. With twins, that starts in the 4th month.
* When people look at your stomach first, ask a due date and and then get wide-eyed when you tell them it is still 4 months away.
* You find yourself out of breath walking to answer the front door
These are just a few of the twins pregnancy funnies. Not that much different from a singleton pregnancy, just happens a whole heck of a lot earlier in the pregnancy.
Next, I am so grateful to my neighbor A, who has been cleaning my bathrooms and last week the whole house! She has been such a servant with this wide-load who has trouble standing or bending over.
Third, I have to tell you that I am a stay-at-home-mom who is willing to ask for help. And I have a husband who is willing to support that asking for help! We are getting a Mama-san!!! I think I spelled that correctly. You see, help here in Japan is ridiculously cheap. For 4 hours a week, we can have a woman come who will clean the whole house for only $68. I find that a huge bargain. That is $17 an hour! With my ability to move, bend over, sit on the floor or stand for any length of time quickly becoming non-existent, we are getting help. I am so grateful to be able to say "I need help" and for M to say "I agree" and for God to provide the resources to take care of this request! We also recognize that my gift in life might be working with children, but it is definitely NOT laundry and dishes. I hate doing them, I hate looking at them and therefore they are done when I get up the gumption to just finally get the job done. So now we will have someone helping us along. We also agree that after the boys are born (AHHHHHH, twin boys!!!!) cleaning will not be a priority. Taking care of L, and the boys will be our focus and sleeping when they sleep. So I am grateful to be living in a place where we can hire trusted helpers to do just that...help us over the next several months.
You know you are pregnant with twins when:
* People ask you if you are due any day and you are only 5 1/2 months pregnant.
* All pregnant women have to roll out of bed, not usually until the end of the pregnancy. With twins, that starts in the 4th month.
* When people look at your stomach first, ask a due date and and then get wide-eyed when you tell them it is still 4 months away.
* You find yourself out of breath walking to answer the front door
These are just a few of the twins pregnancy funnies. Not that much different from a singleton pregnancy, just happens a whole heck of a lot earlier in the pregnancy.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Pray please
I am grateful to have two healthy boys growing. I am grateful that L is healthy and so are M and I. Just trying to let you know that I recognize what I have. Especially when I have a friend who lost her baby during childbirth, and just found out that another person I graduated with from high school has died of cancer. I am grateful for our health when missionary friends of ours are waiting for tests, tests and more tests to find out if their child has cancer. I am VERY grateful for our health.
I am tired though. Pregnancy-induced restless leg syndrome is keeping me up most nights now until after 2 am. Last night it was 4 am. The worst part is I will doze off for about 15 - 30 min. and then be awoken by the need to move my legs. I am so grateful that I do not have to try and get up and go to work the next morning! That L is patient and will just hang out in the house since I don't have the energy to get going. I am grateful that I have overall been feeling better -- much less throwing up and no complications so far!!! I am grateful that up until this week especially I have not suffered from insomnia like I did with L's pregnancy! But I am tired. Please pray that the Dr. can give me ideas on how to help this!
M has been so GREAT with this! Each night he rubs my legs which seems to help. He helps me get my ice packs and heat packs together...yes i sleep with both. One ice pack on one side of the leg and one heat pack on the other...seems to help some nights. Please pray that there is something easy I can do to help with the legs.
Thank you!
I am tired though. Pregnancy-induced restless leg syndrome is keeping me up most nights now until after 2 am. Last night it was 4 am. The worst part is I will doze off for about 15 - 30 min. and then be awoken by the need to move my legs. I am so grateful that I do not have to try and get up and go to work the next morning! That L is patient and will just hang out in the house since I don't have the energy to get going. I am grateful that I have overall been feeling better -- much less throwing up and no complications so far!!! I am grateful that up until this week especially I have not suffered from insomnia like I did with L's pregnancy! But I am tired. Please pray that the Dr. can give me ideas on how to help this!
M has been so GREAT with this! Each night he rubs my legs which seems to help. He helps me get my ice packs and heat packs together...yes i sleep with both. One ice pack on one side of the leg and one heat pack on the other...seems to help some nights. Please pray that there is something easy I can do to help with the legs.
Thank you!
Friday, October 30, 2009
We're not in Kansas anymore.
Normally when someone makes a Wizard of Oz crack, I get very annoyed. It seems as though every person I have met on the planet makes some sort of reference to the Oz when finding out that I am mostly from KS. I say mostly because I am from NM, TX, KS, NE and have lived in 5 places since leaving NE. So after moving around so much and meeting so many people you can imagine that these "jokes" become crazily annoying. If you are one of those friends who made a joke about the Wizard of Oz, I have forgiven you! (Since we are still friends).
However, as I was driving to a home goods store today called Nitori, I realized here I am driving on the other side of the road, with the steering wheel on the other side of the car and the blinker is on the other side of the wheel as well. I am learning to understand signs in Japanese (no I cannot read them, but I am figuring them out). When I am out on the island, I make small attempts to use some Japanese. "WOW!", I thought. This is a far ways away from where I was 14 years ago. That is when the title of the post occurred to me...making fun of myself a little for how annoyed I get at people just being people.
You see, I am a somewhat strong-willed person. Ok, very strong-willed with lots of thoughts and ideas of how things should be done. Fourteen years ago, I was so much more strong-willed with the opinions of an 16 year old kid who had been no where and done nothing. I frequently stated that I would not leave Lawrence, KS and I was certainly not going to be driving outside of Lawrence, KS. Now here I am driving in a foreign country and really loving living here too. I am glad that I have learned in some areas to go along for the ride and enjoy the life that God has given me. To have stuck with my opinions of 14 years ago would have kept me going nowhere and now I get to go every where!
I still struggle with stating my opinions and thoughts. I frequently speak before thinking and blurt out ideas without all the facts. I often have to eat my words or apologize for what I have said. But, I am working on it! I am grateful for the opportunities God has presented in my life and I hope I continue to learn to keep my mouth shut and enjoy the ride.
However, as I was driving to a home goods store today called Nitori, I realized here I am driving on the other side of the road, with the steering wheel on the other side of the car and the blinker is on the other side of the wheel as well. I am learning to understand signs in Japanese (no I cannot read them, but I am figuring them out). When I am out on the island, I make small attempts to use some Japanese. "WOW!", I thought. This is a far ways away from where I was 14 years ago. That is when the title of the post occurred to me...making fun of myself a little for how annoyed I get at people just being people.
You see, I am a somewhat strong-willed person. Ok, very strong-willed with lots of thoughts and ideas of how things should be done. Fourteen years ago, I was so much more strong-willed with the opinions of an 16 year old kid who had been no where and done nothing. I frequently stated that I would not leave Lawrence, KS and I was certainly not going to be driving outside of Lawrence, KS. Now here I am driving in a foreign country and really loving living here too. I am glad that I have learned in some areas to go along for the ride and enjoy the life that God has given me. To have stuck with my opinions of 14 years ago would have kept me going nowhere and now I get to go every where!
I still struggle with stating my opinions and thoughts. I frequently speak before thinking and blurt out ideas without all the facts. I often have to eat my words or apologize for what I have said. But, I am working on it! I am grateful for the opportunities God has presented in my life and I hope I continue to learn to keep my mouth shut and enjoy the ride.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Friends
If you read this blog, you know friends are important to me. You also know that I like to let others know how blessed I am for the friends I have! New friends have entered our lives. One gals name is A (not sure how she feels about me using her name). A is my one of my amazing next door neighbors.
You see, when we moved here I was praying that we would be able to live in a 4-plex so I could plant a flower garden. I have planted things in the past but have not lived in a place long enough to see anything grow back. I think I have probably killed whatever I planted, but I don't even know cause we move!!! Also, we knew we pregnant and I hoped for a place on ground level so that I could get the kids in and out more quickly and easier than an apartment building. We arrived on Okinawa and the only option was to live in a tower. We were frustrated for several reasons, but I figured God had a plan and even though I was disappointed that my prayers were not answered with what I wanted, I figured there was a reason. Turns out there were lots of reasons!!!!
The reasons being our fabulous neighbors. On either side of us live Christian families! God-centered families who were wanting to help and support and love the way you know --- the way Christians are supposed to be known for. Both families immediately jumped into our lives and we are making what I am sure to be are going to be amazing relationships. One family has two kids (one girl old enough to babysit!!!) and the other family is a couple. Both have offered help and support as we found out about the two creatures growing in me. Both have been just great!
That brings me to A. She has a SIL who just had twins and A called her to find out what kind of support a mom with twins would need. SIL shared that cleaning was a big thing, so you know what?!?! A came and cleaned my bathrooms. Both bathrooms!
The neighbor on the other side is a stay-at-home-mom who has offered to be the "in the middle of the night" support. If we have problems or need to get to the hospital, she has offered to be there for L!
Can you imagine being so blessed as to move into an apartment that you like surrounded by such God-given people. I truly believe God gave us these friends! I hope that in some small way I can bless them and love on them too!
Even though we did not get what I prayed for, we got more than we had thought to pray for. Isn't is so great when God does that in your life! Another terrific part of these new friendships, we are going to be having a weekly Bible study together. I am excited to really build God-based relationships in these new friendships. PTL!
Ok, now for some very serious prayer requests. My friends and family out there who pray, please oh please pray with me!
A friend from many years ago has been on my heart. She is about 21 weeks pregnant. Her baby is predicted to 100% die after he/she is born. To know this know as she carries her bundle of love is heartbreaking. She and her husband treasure each little kick and each little proof of life when the baby moves. Please pray for this family. I want a cure for the baby's kidneys and for the lungs to develop in spite of what the DRs. are predicting. The couple has been amazing and so focused on God!
Other prayer request...One of my mom's closest friends has an 18 year old daughter. On Sunday almost 2 weeks ago she was taken to the emergency room with stomach pain. Turns out this girl is in the beginning stages of kidney failure and the Dr.s can't figure out why. The girl's blood pressure was dangerously high and is now taking blood pressure medicine. The girl had just started college this past August and now probably needs to withdraw from her classes. She has a kidney biopsy on Tuesday.
Please, please pray for these two families. I am not sure how many people read this blog, but if you do, please pray! Prayer works and I know it can change the course of peoples' lives. Thank you.
You see, when we moved here I was praying that we would be able to live in a 4-plex so I could plant a flower garden. I have planted things in the past but have not lived in a place long enough to see anything grow back. I think I have probably killed whatever I planted, but I don't even know cause we move!!! Also, we knew we pregnant and I hoped for a place on ground level so that I could get the kids in and out more quickly and easier than an apartment building. We arrived on Okinawa and the only option was to live in a tower. We were frustrated for several reasons, but I figured God had a plan and even though I was disappointed that my prayers were not answered with what I wanted, I figured there was a reason. Turns out there were lots of reasons!!!!
The reasons being our fabulous neighbors. On either side of us live Christian families! God-centered families who were wanting to help and support and love the way you know --- the way Christians are supposed to be known for. Both families immediately jumped into our lives and we are making what I am sure to be are going to be amazing relationships. One family has two kids (one girl old enough to babysit!!!) and the other family is a couple. Both have offered help and support as we found out about the two creatures growing in me. Both have been just great!
That brings me to A. She has a SIL who just had twins and A called her to find out what kind of support a mom with twins would need. SIL shared that cleaning was a big thing, so you know what?!?! A came and cleaned my bathrooms. Both bathrooms!
The neighbor on the other side is a stay-at-home-mom who has offered to be the "in the middle of the night" support. If we have problems or need to get to the hospital, she has offered to be there for L!
Can you imagine being so blessed as to move into an apartment that you like surrounded by such God-given people. I truly believe God gave us these friends! I hope that in some small way I can bless them and love on them too!
Even though we did not get what I prayed for, we got more than we had thought to pray for. Isn't is so great when God does that in your life! Another terrific part of these new friendships, we are going to be having a weekly Bible study together. I am excited to really build God-based relationships in these new friendships. PTL!
Ok, now for some very serious prayer requests. My friends and family out there who pray, please oh please pray with me!
A friend from many years ago has been on my heart. She is about 21 weeks pregnant. Her baby is predicted to 100% die after he/she is born. To know this know as she carries her bundle of love is heartbreaking. She and her husband treasure each little kick and each little proof of life when the baby moves. Please pray for this family. I want a cure for the baby's kidneys and for the lungs to develop in spite of what the DRs. are predicting. The couple has been amazing and so focused on God!
Other prayer request...One of my mom's closest friends has an 18 year old daughter. On Sunday almost 2 weeks ago she was taken to the emergency room with stomach pain. Turns out this girl is in the beginning stages of kidney failure and the Dr.s can't figure out why. The girl's blood pressure was dangerously high and is now taking blood pressure medicine. The girl had just started college this past August and now probably needs to withdraw from her classes. She has a kidney biopsy on Tuesday.
Please, please pray for these two families. I am not sure how many people read this blog, but if you do, please pray! Prayer works and I know it can change the course of peoples' lives. Thank you.
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