So this is how I need to be

Oh how I needed to read this....as I carry and await the arrival of the twins.

Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart." Luke 2:51NIV)

Devotion:
Not much is known about Mary, the mother of Jesus. It is obvious from the Scriptures that she was a young girl who loved God and was willing to obey Him at all costs. We don't know how God chose her to be the mother of His Son — we just know He did. Her response to the angel when she finds out about God's plan for her is our first clue as to why God knew she would be a great mother for Jesus: "I am the Lord's servant. May it be to me as you have said" (Luke 1:38, NIV). Recently, my children and I were reading in Luke where Jesus goes missing as a young teen, and His parents find Him in the temple. After searching for three days! As parents, we panic if we lose track of our child for a few minutes in a store. Can you imagine searching a city for three days for your 13 year-old son?


When they finally found Jesus, He was in the temple and wondered what all the fuss was about. The Scripture says that He told them He was where He should be, in His Father's house. "But they did not understand what He was saying to them" (Luke 2:50, NIV).

As my children and I read this passage, I tried to put myself in Mary's shoes. Her son had been missing. I am sure she vacillated between trusting God and panicking. And this was how I know that I would not have been a candidate for the Mother of Jesus award: as I tried to picture my reaction to finding Jesus in the temple after searching for three days, I pictured myself joyous and relieved. Then I pictured those feelings giving way to anger and questions.


Okay, so that was before the days of cell phones. He truly had no way to let His parents know where He was. But why didn't He stay with them in the first place? I got angry for Mary! And then I read the next verse: "But His mother treasured all these things in her heart" (Luke 2:51b, NIV).

The last time we saw Mary treasuring an event in her heart was right after her son was born. Once again, things were not going the way I would have wanted. She had given birth in a cold stable in dingy surroundings. Again, I was reminded of how accepting of her circumstances she was, and how her attitude reflected that. Our verse for today reminds us of a young woman at peace with her circumstances, trusting God no matter how things would work out. Fast forward 13 years later and she is still that kind, gentle woman — no yelling at Jesus, no threats, no yanking Him by the ear when they finally find Him. Instead, the Scriptures tell us that she treasured "all these things." Would I have been able to treasure that dirty stable? Would I have been able to treasure that seemingly errant teen? As I pondered these two times where Mary is seen treasuring her circumstances, I began to wonder how often things go wrong in my life and I react instead of reflect. So I'm allowing these two Scriptures to seep into my heart. Is my attitude, "May it be to me as You have said," or is it, "Okay, God, this is not the way it's supposed to be and I want You to fix it right away."

Finally

At 19 wks and 4 days Jason finally felt the babies move. Night after night I have had him put his hand on me hoping he would feel them. Finally tonight he was able to feel one of them move. It was prob Reid because it was on my right side. Jason's reaction was a huge smile and chuckle...it was so fun!!!!

19 wk

I went to my normal OB today. I measured at 24 wks and she saw the heartbeats on the ultrasound. She said that one baby (I think it's Tatum) Is breech with her feet in my lower belly and the other baby (I think Reid) is sideways, so babies are feet to feet. That would explain why I feel all my movement in one spot. Anyways, everything appeared to be doing good thus far. Next week's ultrasound at the hospital is a big appointment for us. There we will look at spine, heart, brain, weight, size, exc. I can't wait to hear..hopefully they aren't too far apart in growth and are doing really well.

Yesterday I decided that I was going to wrap gifts during Blake's nap time. That meant my usual time to read the Bible wasn't able to happen. I decided to listen to the Bible study online. One thing that hit me was something I have grown up and heard my whole life, " what Satan meant for harm, God intended it for good" (Gen 50)

I was very encouraged by that because I feel like the Lord was talking to me. What satan meant to harm me....with twins there is more stress, lack of sleep, marriages have a higher risk of spliting up with twins, family disunity, exc. But I know that God will make good out of it and will bless us with what Satan wanted to harm and cause bad in our lives.

Looking forward the many blessings twins will bring.

18 wks with the babes

Today I was able to see Reid and Tatum on the ultrasound. The tech again said she believes we have one of each. Tatum was much more active this time around and Reid even nudged Tatum. Reid still seems to be a party animal and constantly moving.

I do not feel much movement. Here in there, maybe three times a week I will feel something. I am looking forward to the next three weeks where I will begin to feel much more defined little nudges from these two.

The dr. did an exam and said my risk for pre term labor is low. He said that means I will deliver most likely at 38 weeks. I know that I will be very uncomfortable and I will be huge, yet I will be grateful to hopefully be able to bring them straight home from the hospital. Things can always change, but that is my hope.

I have gained lots of weight...20pounds. It's more than I should gain at this point! I eat rather healthy. I have a salad everyday....I crave those! For about three weeks straight I was eating egg salad everyday. I am over that for now and into eating a cheese sandwhich with mustard on it. I love having baked cheetos after my lunch and into a glass of cold chocolate milk everyday. I usually have a pudding cup in the afternoon as well. I eat fiber one cereal and a tad bit of coffee every morning.

My clothes are fitting fine, well I should say maternity clothes. Although I am now thinking I am going to need more mediums as my pregnancy progresses. With Blake I wore all smalls. Oh well with two in the womb I am bound to be bigger.

I have tried working out. I do enjoy it, the problem is I like to rest when Blake is resting and don't want to get up in the morning cause I know in just four and half months I will have to get up early with babies. I want to enjoy my rest and sleep when I can.

It was great to see the babies today and see how active they are although I can't feel it. I go back in two weeks for a two hour appointment where they check the babies growth, weight, spine, EC.

Blakers

This is Blake's 3rd Christmas, yet the first one that he is really getting into.

We went to the mall Nov. 21st and had our picture taken with Santa. Because I think he is understanding who Santa is, he was a bit scared but eventually warmed up to him. Blake told him all the stuff he wanted for Christmas (wiggles, toy story, shrek).

For my moms Gingerbread house contest this year, he actually was into making/eating the gingerbread house. He did a great job of biting the candy first and then putting it on his house.

He is into watching Christmas movies on TV at night when daddy gets home. We usually play and then at the end we watch a Christmas movie with the Christmas tree on.

Every morning when he wakes up he asks for "special juice." I usually give him a tiny bit of "egg nog" and then when we watch our movie at night I give him some more "special juice".

He loves loves loves his advent calender this year. He points to it on the counter and says "can i do it?" I like it cause we learn to identify numbers on it...he does pretty good with it.

Blake wasn't too much into decorating the tree this year. We let him put on ornaments, but instead he wanted to play. He put on about three ornaments and that was it.

I took Blake Christmas shopping with me this year and told him the gifts were for his nephews so he wouldn't know that they were bought for him.

I love this little boy! I love how he is getting Christmas and soon we will be talking about Jesus' birthday this Christmas season. I want to read it to him every night so it sinks in just as much as Santa does.

Random: Blake has lately been into Calliou, Wiggly Waffle show, playing with his play food, and using the words : goodness and delicious.

Parenting

Somethings I have read on parenting from crosswalk.com and want to remember

*****Provide your children with the sense of security that comes when your actions are consistent with your words. (based on Matthew 5:37 from parenting by design)

*****try walking beside your kids as you lovingly allow them to experience the consequences of their choices. This is a far better way to create an environment in which a child can understand and embrace God's design for his life.
Pick your battles and avoid exasperating your kids. Eph 6:4: Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord (NIV). (parenting by design nov.4 2010)

*****When your children require a consequence for something they have done, consider the difference between punishment and discipline. Punishment creates a temporary break in relationship. Discipline walks alongside them through the bad choice, the way God walks alongside us as a result of Christ's sacrifice.
Show God's love by walking with your children through their bad decisions rather than causing a separation from them through punishment. 1 John 4:18: "There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love" (NASB). (Parent by design Oct 8)


****** Approach discipline with the understanding that you need to train your kids to develop good attitudes and actions. Remember that the root word of discipline is "disciple" and realize that disciplining your kids is a vital part of their spiritual growth. Don't make excuses for them when they behave badly. Instead, challenge them to learn how to do better, and help and encourage them along the way.
(Dr. John Rosemond crosswalk.com)

Lord is Trustworthy!

Today I was compelled during my quiet time to listen to Shane and Shane Psalm 145. I decided to look up the verse in the message version and here is what it said:

Psalm 145: 13-21

The LORD is trustworthy in all he promises
and faithful in all he does.[c]
14 The LORD upholds all who fall
and lifts up all who are bowed down.
15 The eyes of all look to you,
and you give them their food at the proper time.
16 You open your hand
and satisfy the desires of every living thing.

17 The LORD is righteous in all his ways
and faithful in all he does.
18 The LORD is near to all who call on him,
to all who call on him in truth.
19 He fulfills the desires of those who fear him;
he hears their cry and saves them.
20 The LORD watches over all who love him,
but all the wicked he will destroy.

21 My mouth will speak in praise of the LORD.
Let every creature praise his holy name
for ever and ever.