Growing, Stretching, and Changing (In more ways than one :) )

Well after three sonograms we are pretty sure we are having a little GIRL! I am not sure what to think because I fully expected another boy this time but we are excited either way. I had some complications early on and am just so thankful to be seeing a healthy baby each time we have gone to the doctor. Things seem to be leveling out this last week and I feel like things are getting back to normal. I will go back to the doctor next week for another appointment. I have been having to rest a lot more than normal these past few weeks which has given me lots of time to think and pray. Our associate pastors wife and I also went to a Minister's Wives retreat weekend before last for some much needed girl time. I feel like God is showing me so much about myself that needs to be turned over to Him in these last few weeks. Here are a few of them:

1) I do not like to give God control of scary situations for fear that he might choose an outcome that I do not like.
2) I do not know how to rest and feel a huge load of guilt if I am being still.
3) I miss God speaking to me often because I won't be still and rest.

I feel like I have been able to see things more clearly as a parent, as a wife, and in my quiet times now that I am sitting and trusting God. As a parent we love our children so much and want them to just trust that we are going to make the best decisions for them. I am constantly telling Peter as I am rinsing the soap out of his hair in the bath tub, "Lean back, trust me, lean on my arm and I won't get the soap in your eyes." I realized at the retreat that God was telling me the same thing. "Lean back on my arms, Abby, and trust that I will make the best decision for your life." Spiritually it has opened my heart again to what I should be focusing on each day.

Physically I am definitely growing and stretching too...lol. If people missed the pregnancy announcement early on they are sure asking me about it now. I have passed the point of looking like I have gained a few pounds in the tummy area and am looking well...round.

I have been having more nesting urges this week and have managed to drag everything out of every closet and not put anything back yet. I am taking it slow and having to rely on Pete to move heavy stuff so this project might take a while.

In other news, Peter is almost 2! I can't believe it! We got his pictures taken not too long ago so I will share a few at the bottom. We don't have a big party planned this year but will get to celebrate with my family this weekend and then here next week. Peter is still tossing around the "Big brother" phrase often but I am not sure he quite gets it yet (although he did get to feel the baby move today for his first time.) He was talking to our dog Lucy this week as she was terrified of him chasing her and in his highest pitched voice said " It's ok Hucy, I yuv you. Hucy tum here, it's ok, I your BIG BRUDDER." lol...did you catch all of that?

Can't believe April is about over! Enjoy the pics!

Happy Easter!

We had a great Easter weekend this year! On Friday night Pete and I were invited over to some friends house from Pete's discipleship class to watch the Passion. I had still never seen it. The whole movie was so hard to watch but I was so glad I got to see it because it was such a great reminder of what Christ went through for our salvation. The movie was pretty bloody and I know Christ's crucifixion was even worse than they could portray. I cried through the whole thing. One thing that I didn't expect was just feeling so much for Mary as she watched her child be beaten beyond belief. She was so faithful to submit to the Lord's purpose and I guess being a mom now brought new meaning to that part of the story for me.

Peter and his cousin Holden

Saturday morning we had the Cowboy Fellowship egg hunt. It is community wide and we had a pretty good turnout.



On Saturday afternoon my sisters and their families and my mom and step dad came to our house! I was so happy to be able to host Easter this year! We went to the Saturday night service. Pete's brother Zack and his wife Amanda got baptized, the message that Pete preached was so good, and we had the Lord's Supper. Such a great service. Sunday we cooked most of the morning and then had a egg hunt after lunch before everyone packed up and went home. Of course it went by way too fast, but it always does.

My mom and Bobby showed up being funny in their matching Easter shirts. ( And I actually liked them.)

Chandler searching in the tree.
Gracie focused on the hunt.
Bowyn in action.
Forced smile. Yes that was his Easter outfit.
Digging in the loot.

Sunday night, Pete's parents and brother Jake came over to eat leftovers with us. Pete had Monday off and we decided to take Peter to the zoo since he keeps asking about it. It was so nice to spend a little time together as a family. We don't do it as often as we should! This Thursday is my next dr. appointment so I am looking forward to it!

Everything from the hippos, the lions, and the elephant..Peter would say, "I wanna pet it." Or "I wanna ride it."

Brushing the goat. :)Feeding the lori's.
As I was putting him to bed last night he was going through the whole day and all the animals. And he kept saying "I yike monkeys." Me: "I know Peter, no more talking." Peter: "I yike monkeys. El-phants eating the grass. Dinosaur BIG." (For some reason he keeps thinking the rhino is a dinosaur.) Me: Okay Peter, time to be quiet now, close your eyes, it is bedtime." Peter whispering: "Mom......" Me: "Yes?" Peter still whispering: "Mom, I YIKE monkeys."

I think he likes monkeys.