I have finally reached my first trimester. Praise the Lord...Hallelujah. Not that it has made much of a difference in my energy or morning sickness, but I'm waiting patiently.

For those of you that don't know, my first pregnancy was awful. I know some people think I shouldn't say that because all pregnancies are special...which is true...but there is just really no other way to explain it.

I was "sick" at 4 weeks with Presley. I say "sick" because I really had no idea what sick meant at that time. I was really just nauseous 24 hours a day. Then 6 weeks came along and I was throwing up about 5-7 times a day. By 8 weeks, it was every hour on the hour. Week by week I prayed and prayed that it was almost over. My first trimester felt like an eternity because I was so anxious to stop getting sick. Little did I know that the first trimester would mean absolutely nothing in my case haha. Finally about 5 or 6 months along I slowed back down to about 5-7 times a day. Then by 8 months it was only twice every morning...until the precious day that sweet little Presley joined our lives.

Needless to say, the thought of getting pregnant again was not very appealing. It took me about 2 years to even consider the idea. Thankfully God is in control and surprised us with baby #2, or I just might have continued to put it off.

So with this pregnancy, I only get sick 3 times in the morning...thats right, exactly 3 times every day before I walk out the door...but I'm still nauseous throughout the day. And honestly, there are some days where I think nausea sucks and can be just as bad as throwing up. But then last week I had two spells where I was sick around the clock, and I quickly remembered that nausea is absolutely nothing compared to actually getting sick haha!

Needless to say, I've been very thankful for this pregnancy. Its not only easier on me physically, but also mentally. I've just recently shared with Clinton and our parents just how bad I was with the first pregnancy. I was extremely depressed and miserable. Thoughts that I'm ashamed to admit were running through my head on a daily basis. I wouldn't say that I was suicidal by any means, but there were definitely times where I longed for something bad to happen to me so that I could end the misery. I share this now only because I realize more than ever just how bad off I was, and nobody really knew it. It all came out a few weeks ago because Clinton said that this pregnancy seemed "worse" because I complained more than the first time around. Well...first of all, I barely spoke the 3 months that I was extremely sick. And second of all, I knew that anything I said would be awful, and I was very ashamed and embarrassed of how I was feeling.

I'm so grateful that God took care of me despite my moments of depression and despair. And I know that there are many women that would've taken my pregnancy any day just to be able to have a child, and I'm grateful that I realized that sooner than later.

I guess I just felt led to share this because as women, we all have our struggles, and sometimes they are struggles that we are embarrassed to admit. But take it from me...it would have been so much easier had I opened up to my family and friends and asked for their support, instead of wondering if they would think I was crazy for admitting how I felt.

So if there is anything laying on your heart or your mind, find someone you can trust and open up to them. You don't have to carry the burden alone.

Sorry for rambling and getting off on a tangent! In other news, we just might have decided on some baby names...at least some strong possibilities! And I'm thinking of taking the house off the market. I know it was quick and has only been about a month, but I cannot find anything out there that I want...at least in the area that I want. And frankly, I'm just tired of worrying about it. I've really been praying for guidance on whether we should keep moving forward or just put it on hold. I just have a huge fear we're going to get a contract on our house, and have to settle on something else.

Well that is obviously enough for today. I'm apparently making up for lost times in the blog world. Hope you ladies are doing well, and I cant wait to catch up on your lives, too!

How was everyone's weekend? Mine was great! Clinton's side of the family was in town for an annual golf tourney they always play in, and the girls held a baby shower for my SIL! I can't wait to welcome little Max into the world...only about 6 more weeks to go!

After the shower, a few of us went to see "Something Borrowed." Oh. my. gosh...best movie I've seen in a long time! I LOOOVE the book and I really felt like the movie lived up to it.

Hall bathroom