Blessed Beyond Measure

Yesterday, I impatiently awaited the test results from my fetal fibronectin test.  My gut told me that I would "fail" the test, so when my phone rang, I knew exactly what the nurse had to tell me.  That I now had a 99 percent chance of having Elliot within the next 14 days.  Funny how I totally expected the news, but was still shocked to hear it.  It's been a tough week to say the least.  A trip to the hospital let us know that my blood pressure is not cooperating.  I vomit 30-70 times a day, so it doesn't surprise me that my blood pressure is unhappy.  They treated me for dehydration and did some important tests for preeclampsia.  We've been doing the ffn test for weeks now and this is the first test I have failed.  So, we prepare for little Elliot to make his entrance.  Possibly 10 weeks early.  Sigh. So, you can imagine my frame of mind as I traveled to my doctor to get the steroid shots to help Elliot develop quickly.  Ye...

 This is my school bag.  All dressed up and nowhere to go!  Our yearly selfies!  We are growing up!  Texting our friends before we go inside.  : )  We normally get a once a year back to school manicure and pedicure, but with mom being on bed rest and not making a paycheck, we decided to get them done at home!  She requested french manicure nails.  They aren't perfect, but mom did her best!  I didn't cry when I dropped her off for her last day at CT.  We have been at the same school for 7 years, so it is hard to think we are counting down our last year there.  Mix that with me knowing I have a room full of my own students that I won't get to meet for months . . . today was a little emotional.  I was pretty proud of how I handled things.  Until I got home.  Nixon had left a surprise scavenger hunt for me.  She put a stop at the common napping place for all of our pets to remind...

Sometimes life doesn't give us the hand we think it will.  My friends all return to work today to begin the exciting last few days of preparing for our new students to arrive.  I love teaching.  It is the core of who I am!  So . . . when the doctor told me I wouldn't be able to return to school until after Elliot arrives, I was devastated.  I know I am doing what is best for him, but it sure is hard to let go of all of those kids I would have been loving on this year.  I will meet them eventually.  Just not in the time that I had planned.  God is asking me to wait.  Patiently.  And rest.  Not an easy task for me, but I am learning to be still and know . . . He has plans for this little boy.  For now, they are to grow!

If you aren't watching America's Got Talent, you are really missing out on some amazingly talented people.  One contestant  has grabbed our attention the most . . .Brian Justin Crum.  He has the most amazing voice.  And his story is even more powerful.  He has fought bullying his whole life.  When you teach junior high, you are surrounded by kids finding themselves.  What you want to tell them is that it will all be ok.  How you feel right now is only temporary.  And the way you feel right now . . . that nagging feeling of never being the right version of yourself . . . will make you stronger someday.  If this pregnancy has done anything for me, it has humbled me.  It has taken my body places that I certainly never would have willingly traveled.  And in the midst of it all you feel like a total creep.  Like a weirdo.  Like you just don't fit anymore.  And in the middle of all of that, there is so much beauty. ...

I am so blessed I can hardly wrap my head around all of the love!  My math friends got together this last weekend to shower me with love in anticipation of our upcoming arrival.  My friends Raemi and Brandi pulled out all the stops and literally planned the most perfect day I could ever imagine!  The addition of my niece, nephew, brother and sister-in-law being able to come for a visit was just icing on the cake!  The pregnancy has certainly had its bumps, but this day made it all worth it!!!