Worship

There are some worship songs out there that are completely cemented in me. They are visceral. They bring me back - as music can do - to my newbie Christian days (even though I still sometimes feel like a n00b at times).

Some songs I will forever hear the voice of the worship leader from my "first" church home. I call it my "first" because I did attend a few other churches growing up, but this church was definitely the first church I could ever call home. It was where I committed my life - heart, body, mind, and soul - to Christ. Anyway, our worship leader, not that his voice was super unique, but it was his voice that taught me Christian music. Popular Christian music of 2007, you could say. I will always remember thinking, "How does everyone know the lyrics? No one is even looking at the screen!". Well, I soon learned that the songs are sort of on repeat as the Sundays go on. That's how...repetition, but in a good way.

There are two songs that will always, always, always bring back to me my "first" (same church here) Pastor's wife. The first First Lady I've known. She was and is a mentor, my mom, my friend, and (though I didn't know at the time) a model for who I hope to be as a Pastor's wife. One song, "Everlasting God", brings back images of her just dancing away. She loves this song! The other song, "How Great is Our God," I can see her signing the song. I don't remember all the signs for the lyrics, but I do remember - though faintly - the sign for the lyric, "The Godhead three in one".

"From the Inside Out" and "We Must Go" has me wonder what next great adventure a lovely friend is going to go on next. She LOVES Jesus in that radical way that sometimes I wish I could outwardly exhibit. She epitomizes those two songs and I always remember watching her worship and being completely swept away by it.

All these songs and more bring back many memories of happiness, tears, a new life, and of people who have come and gone, but they all made huge impacts on who I am today. They have all proven that no, you cannot do life alone. They prove that Jesus puts just the right people in your life to help you grow, cause you to grow, or - even at times - force you to grow. I am so thankful to them and to God for never letting me wander on my own.

Cute Baby Girl

My 19th Month Old Baby Girl

She was just cuckoo today! I did a lot of observation because she was just cracking me up. I started watching "Glee" on Netflix because I've gone through everything else, it seems. I like the singing and dancing and so does Baby Girl. She started this new dance move where she lifts her hands above her head and waves them around. There was lots of spinning and jumping. Her jumping though is when she sort of lifts her heels a bit off the ground.

Baby Girl also was brave enough to put herself in the dogs' cage.

Then we had a yummy dinner tonight of twice baked cauliflower. The directions - boil the stuff, process the stuff, then stick it in the broiler for a few. That's about it. Also, add whatever ingredients, seasonings you really like. We had ours with garlic, butter, chives, chicken, and tomatoes. I recommend boiling the cauliflower in chicken stock (or even veggie stock) versus just water. It'll give it a bit more flavor.

Oh, look! Our garden is growing!

Tomato and Cucumber

Tomato with a Baby Girl in the back

There are three tiny asparagus growing up!

18 Months & 25 Weeks

Here we go! 

Baby Girl is sprouting two more teeth on the top row. She is throwing tantrums left and right, which made me check out the book The New Strong-Willed Child. I highly recommend it whether you have this type of child or not because Dr. Dobson just has some great ways to raise your child so that you're raising them to be adults and not giant adolescents. I've realized that Baby Girl is not his definition of strong-willed, but she is definitely in the mode of wanting her way or throwing a fit when she doesn't get it. Let's see...what else...

• she howls like Loula from Pocoyo and it's the cutest thing ever
• does the hand motions for "Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes"
• she loves to spin and dance
• I still find her at least once a day flipping through her books in her room
• she loves to rub my belly especially when I wear my Beatles shirt (whoohoo!)
• is in a forward-facing car seat - now that was a highlight! Baby Girl exclaimed, clapped, and dance the entire car ride.
• oh yes, she still loves to eat!

Here are the stats for Baby Dos:

Total weight gain/loss: As of the last appointment (yesterday morning) I had gained 11 pounds
Maternity clothes: Yes, please! 
Stretch marks: Nope
Sleep: Not too bad unless my back is killing me then every time I turn I moan and groan
Best moment from this week: Watching my belly actually move when the baby moves
Miss anything: Not really
Movement: So much! Baby Dos didn't give me any of those subtle, butterfly movements. No, it went for unmistakable punches and kicks. There is no fooling around with this one.
Food cravings: Soda...I'm having at least one a day.
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope
Have you started to show yet: I'm showing beyond what I was showing at this time with Baby Girl. 
Gender prediction: Boy (still my prediction!)
Labor signs: Nope. Although, I feel like this baby is ready to be born tomorrow.
Belly button in or out: Eh, the top is slightly out.
Wedding rings on or off: On
Happy or moody: Happy
Looking forward to: My baby shower next month :)