Feeling Bulky

Note; if you prayed Wednesday thank you!  There was some positive progress--no real action was taken, but the judge is making a ruling in ten days.  


Pregnancy is starting to feel a little more normal to me.


Sleeping with four pillows, and bumping into things with my belly is an every day experience.


I'm sleeping better at night, and feeling more energetic during the day.


I feel like I have my own personal built-in heater.  We've had a few rather cool nights lately, but I'm warm as toast--probably not something I'll appreciate in July, but for now I'm enjoying it.


I'm drinking coffee again--limiting myself to one cup a day, and also enjoying most foods--what am I saying--I'm enjoying all foods.  My hubby jokes that he has to hurry and clean his plate, or I start eyeing it hungrily.


The baby's movements have changed from feeling like flutters to some slightly alarming flopping, and flipping.
I never get tired of feeling him move though.


I have two friends who are pregnant--one is six weeks ahead of me, and the other is six weeks behind me.  We didn't plan this obviously, but it is a lot of fun to compare notes, and encourage each other.

I left you a hint in this post--did you catch it?

Fostering Update

Sugar Pea has a permanency planning hearing coming up on Wednesday.

There are basically three different ways this could go.

The judge could determine that the birth parents are following their case plan and move toward reunification with them.  He could begin the process of terminating both of their parental rights, or he could grant a three month extension, and make a decision then.

This judge tends to be very very cautious in making any decision toward termination of parental rights.  I appreciate his point of view, but from my angle it can get a little frustrating.

The birth parents aren't doing anything toward getting their child back except for showing up for their visits......some of the time.

I'm trying to have the right attitude in all of this--you know--neutral foster parent.  I'm not doing a very good job.

My reason for sharing all of this is to ask you to please, please, pray for this hearing.  There are so many more details that I can't share, but suffice it to say that this case has burned me out.

I'll give you a pregnancy update in a day or two.

Halfway There

I'm currently at the 20 week mark which makes this pregnancy officially half over.

My brain is in a rather frightful state.  I've never been so absentminded and forgetful in my life.  If I say something rude or thoughtless to you please forgive me---I didn't mean it.  I'm hoping things will get back to normal sometime in the early fall.  :)

We planted part of our garden on Saturday, and it made me feel so good to work outside.  Sometimes I think I'll work outside when my inside work is done, and unfortunately it's rarely completely done.

I'm feeling a lot of activity going on inside me right now.  This little person is busy!

When all the other children are being noisy and active the baby gets really active too.  Apparently it doesn't want to miss out on all the fun. :)

We had an ultrasound on Friday of last week, and decided we wanted to find out the gender of the baby.

What I'm wondering is..........

would all of you like to know, or should I just keep it to myself?  :)

Happy Mothers Day

My Point of View...and Hers

Lately I've been reflecting on how different pregnancy is for me--a very blessed, well cared for, mamma  and what it's like for many birth mothers whose children end up in foster care.


When I found out I was pregnant I immediately scheduled my first prenatal visit with a doctor--she often has no prenatal care at all.


When pregnancy hormones overwhelm me I turn to my friends and family for support--she turns to drugs, or alcohol.


I have a large variety of fresh healthy food options in my refrigerator to ease my food cravings--she is doing good to have something....anything to eat.


My husband supports me, and helps me through every high and low of being pregnant--her significant other berates her, and beats her depending on how the mood hits him.


I have new clothes that are comfortable, and expand with my belly--she is forced to borrow her boyfriends clothes, or wear pajamas because she can't afford anything new.


Maybe these things seem minor to you, but they make me realize why many mothers make poor choices in their pregnancies and in their parenting.

 Think about it.  

If you know a single pregnant mother help her, support her, pray for her.  You may be the only person in her life who cares!

Hello on a Monday

Hello to anyone who still reads this blog in spite of my spotty posting.

I'm feeling quite a bit better than I did for a while--still have some nauseous moments, but they are rare.

My two oldest are on their last week of school-- we schedule our year this way to avoid home schooling during my oldest son's worst allergy season.

My three year old is developing a stubborn streak that is a little alarming.  Probably just a stage.

My two year old is on the verge of being potty trained--I'm hoping to work on it a little harder as soon as school is done

Sugar Pea has either a cold or allergies, her runny nose and crankiness make it hard for us to get a good night's sleep.

Hubby's work is picking up for the summer.  We are thankful for the work, but it's always a little hard to have him gone more.

What's new with all of you?

Good Friday