Prego thoughts of the day

So I feel like I need to document some things for my own sake (and for posterity's sake) BUT this post may not be as interesting to outside readers AND may even be embarrasing to share... That being said...here goes

This pregnancy up to the 20 week mark was a lot similar to my first pregnancy (with Abby). Felt totally great, didn't puke, didn't gain weight much... a real beauty of a thing. After that 20 week point this pregnancy has been SO MUCH HARDER than my first. My hips (and general mid-lower region) are super sore and out of place... mostly noticeable when I am laying down...NOT FUN. Although I still don't really puke I get quite nauseas with strong smells or even taking vitamins on an empty stomach. Ginger snaps usually help me bounce back though. I also feel a tad more emotional I think... at least about my weight...My mr.wonderful has lived up to that title and is so good at making sure I know he still thinks I'm beautiful and that I have his full support and that he is grateful for me going thorough all this pregnancy junk for the sake of our little family. I started out this pregnancy 20 lbs heavier than where I was when I started my last pregnancy so I have been self conscious and unhappy about my weight to begin with BUT that is only added to the fact that this time i'm having a boy and I feel like he is huge and making me even more huge! I stay fairly active and try to eat healthy so why do I feel like a mama whale?!? While pregnant with Abby the doctors always said "she's perfect and petite"... this time its more of "he's measuring 2cm bigger" but he's very healthy as well. I guess we'll see how big he is when he makes his debut... in the meantime... here I sit hoping and praying that starting in October, along with a healthy happy baby, I'll be able to get my old body back...or at least close. I've got my work cut out for me. I'm keeping my eyes and ears open for any help, motivation, or suggestions in that area.

Wanna be a millionaire so stinkin bad

As I sit and think about what is on my mind right now, I’m a little overwhelmed at all of the crazy things going on in the world right around me. There is so much good to be done and, although most days I’m really happy with my life exactly as it is, today I wish I were a millionaire. Not so I can go shopping. Not so I can travel the world. Not even so I can live off the interest on it and keep my hubs home with me every dayJ. Today I wish I were a millionaire so I could donate to the many many many causes that keep popping up in my face. I wanna help other people.

Almost all at once, three cases in particular have presented themselves…

One, a friend had the unfortunate experience of a sibling-in-law passing away in a tragic car accident. He was simply on his way home from work. Now His pregnant wife and 3 kids are without a husband, a daddy, and a bread winner. Life is so fragile. The unexpected can REALLY take you off guard sometimes. They were in the middle of building themselves a modest home to raise their children in and now since there is no income they may lose that home and that dream. Pennies are being scrapped together…they need donations. (https://www.facebook.com/DevinStimpsonMemorialFund)

Another, a friend was giving the incredible opportunity to go to Ecuador to volunteer in orphanages. These places are just overflowing with wonderful little children who didn’t really have a say in what life would hand them at such a young age. The orphanages do their best for the kids but, working with little money and turning no child away, there is much help needed. They need simple things that we take for granted… pillows to sleep on, lice shampoo, a roof that doesn’t leak, a home without mold, and food… they need donations. (www.dandoamor.org )

Finally, another friend made me aware of a heart wrenching circumstance for a young couple who are facing the finances and emotional journey of a hopeful double lung transplant. I knew this couple and had NO idea that the husband was in poor health. He was always so energetic, happy and full of life. He still is all those things BUT his lungs are not cooperating. He has cystic fibrosis and in just a few short years he went from 80% lung capacity to 23% lung capacity. His only chance of survival is the double transplant. They found out that the cost of the procedures (in the first year) would be over a million dollars. Yikes. They also found out that the medications he would need to take would make it impossible for them to have children…so currently they await their chance for 2 new lungs and are working on IVF to make those babies possible before it is too late. (www.goteamjason.com )

My heart breaks over and over again for all these and many more people. I live a modest life and LOVE it. This also means I don’t have much money to give. We do what we can, I just wish I were a millionaire and could make all these struggles go away. In the meantime, I pray. I pray long and hard from every inch of my heart. These sweet people deserve the BEST blessings from heaven. Maybe with my prayers and monetary help from those who can give it they will receive some of those blessings really soon.

(If you feel willing and able to donate please go to the websites mentioned above and do what you can. Thank you so much!)