Giving up

The weather was absolutely perfect today, so the boys and I ventured outside after school and spent about three hours making and planting another garden. We have had a great time watching the little seedlings sprout up out of the ground. In our first garden, we have about a hundred little radish plants, and 18 pea plants, along with some onions that are coming along. Today, we went all out, and planted green beans, more onions, broccoli, sweet corn, pumpkins and watermelon. We also planted a row of sunflowers along our fence line where there is full sun all day long. Jonathan is my diligent worker. From the first shovel full of dirt to the last sprinkling of water, he's right there with me. Josh loves to play and will find any excuse to get out of "work". I will say that he did plant all his own seeds today, so that was a step in the right direction.

A few weeks ago I planted a large circle of herbs that I divided into quarters...cilantro, chives, basil and oregano. I was watering the quarters today, and I was thinking about how a few days ago, I was ready to give up on my herb garden. I had been faithful to water everyday, and still I saw no life. Then one day, after we had two days of lots of sun, the oregano had popped up out of the ground, and I had about 30 little seedlings. I remembered how I was so close to just quitting on the herbs, but now, seeing the new growth, I was so excited that I kept watering, in spite of my doubt. And the Lord gently reminded me not to give up, even when I don't see anything changing. Don't give up on people, or tasks I put my hand to do, or even myself, because he is always working things together for good, even when it seems as though nothing at all is really going on. Today, the cilantro is coming up...I can't wait for next week to see what else will grow!

Just a quick update: My appointment went great. I really liked the midwife. Got to briefly see the baby on an ultrasound, saw the heart beating and little legs. The boys were super (both waited in the waiting room watching Thomas the Train videos) and I even got to visit my friend across the street in the hospital that just had her baby. To reward the kids for excellent behavior and patience, we made a McDonald's pit stop for a burger and the playland. All in all a great day! Twelve weeks down, 28 +/- to go!!

Appointment

Well, today is my first prenatal appointment with the midwife. It should be very interesting with the boys. I have already informed Josh that he will be in the waiting room for the visit, and Jonathan, well, let's just hope that his three year old mind won't remember anything when he's 20!! (Thank goodness for movable chairs that can be positioned to face "up" and not "down". haha) Anyway, I am nearly three months now, and while I probably should have had a visit already, I hemmed and hawed to find a midwife. When I had Josh, I had a female OB/Gyn, who was nice, but I basically saw her PA the whole nine months, and she showed up at the very end to catch Josh as he was coming out. Then for Jonathan, I had Edie, a certified nurses midwife (who I wish I could have bottled up and brought to SC with me!). She was fabulous, and a Christian to boot! A totally positive experience all around, which is saying a lot since I had Jonathan completely natural! So, I am trying not to compare this midwife with the last, and just hoping for something good. I don't think I am scheduled for an ultrasound today, just the basics...exam, blood work, etc...but I do want to find out what we are having asap! I know, some say that takes all the fun out of it...well, just call me a party pooper! I have not saved anything from the boys (except some 2T and up clothes)...but if we are having a girl, it's back to square one...poor thing can't be dressed in dinosaurs and race cars! I'll keep you posted on the news.

Luis and I attended a two day marriage seminar this weekend. It's not often that we get to be kid-less, and just fill up our "tanks". It's so easy to get so busy, doing good things, even things for God...and lose sight of those things that are so important, like each other, and those closest to us. We both took so much away from this seminar...so many nuggets of truth that we can apply to our lives, and help other learn to apply as well. The seminar finished with the Fireproof movie, which was completely fabulous.

D-Day

Well, today's the day. The day we get our dog. At Luis's work, they found a dog in one of the plantations, and after a month or so of trying to find the owner, no one has claimed it. They even brought the dog to check to see if it had a homing chip implant, but they found nothing. So...he's going to be ours. The kids are out of their minds with excitement at the thought of their very own dog. I, on the other hand, am just out of my mind. I really don't like dogs. To me it's like having another child, but one that destroys everything in it's path. I have already decided that he will have a wire run way out in the back of our yard...where I won't break my ankle on the many holes I am sure he will dig. I have also informed Luis and the boys that it is "their" dog, which means all the responsibilities that comes with him. This should be interesting, to say the least. Bear with me...I'm sure there will be a number of posts this week coming...I can just feel it!