thankful on Christmas eve

I have missed quite a few days of thankful posts but some it up here is what has been on my mind a lot...
I am extremely grateful for my husband. He loves me so well and listens well to what my needs are. He also is a really good gift giver.
I am thankful for new friends in Oregon. They are so generous and I feel blessed they consider me their friend.
I am excited and thankful for friends and family back east that I get to see very soon. They are the best because even though we are apart a lot these days, I know nothing will have changed when I get home. Can't wait to see everyone.
I am thankful and extremely blessed for my Oregon and Washington family. Both dodgie And ricks family have loved me too well. I would be a lot more homesick if it wasn't for them.

Merry Christmas!

Little Bruinwear

 My Intern gave me a pretty sweet Christmas present.  She said she couldn't resist when she saw these items in the George Fox bookstore.  Apparently, he will be a bruin. 

"Little Bruin" bottle

I think this is my favorite. 12-18 month fleece jacket.

 

10 days until Christmas

I am thankful for friends and making cookies.

Week 24 and baby sized goods

I am entering my 24th week this week and feel like I am continuing to grow.  I have officially crossed over to the land I have never been before - I weigh more than I have before (at least to my knowledge).  The baby weighs at least 1 pound by this point.  He is starting to move a lot and you can now see it from the outside which is fun.  I am starting to learn his pattern of when he is alseep/inactive and when he is up and moving.  A look at my growth (I forgot that the sign would be mirrored):

With four months left, I am starting to think about what we will need.  Well, I guess I have been thinking about this for a while but it is hitting me now that 4 months is not that long of a time.  We have a small pile of baby goods and I wanted to share a few:

The .50 cent hat I bought when we found out we were pregnant.

Our good friend and Mom of Lissa (Forbes) - Shelley Stuewe gave these to us.  Thanks!

I am preparing for next winter I guess...a little big but I couldn't resist. 

Our good friend Sonya gave this congrats gift to us. I love it!

I just like toys. 

I know a couple of folks have asked about our registry.  I have mostly finished our registry but it is very flexible and fluid.  If you are interested in seeing the list you can find it alternativegiftregistry.org and search for "Christine McNeal."

15, 14, 13 and 12 Days Until Christmas

I obviously got a bit behind over the weekend.  I still am thankful for a lot.  Here are some thoughts on the weekend.

Friday - I am thankful for rest.  I sleep a lot more these days and I am very thankful when the weekend comes and I get to sleep a little bit more.

Saturday - I am thankful for celebration.  We went to the GFU employee celebration where we got to eat all kinds of yummy food and hang out with friends.  This may be my favorite time of year!

Sunday - I am thankful for our church especially how supportive everyone is of Rick (and me).  I appreciate our Pastor and everyone else's support of Rick's desire to lead worship.  They have allowed him an amazing opportunity and have really been such an encouragement to both of us through their unending support.

Monday - I am thankful for Rick's creativity and ability to love me according to my love languages.  We made a deal which will probably be revealed on one of our blogs sometime soon.  The deal involved Rick giving me 1 gift for all 25 days of Christmas.  I am very thankful for his thoughtfulness as well as simply getting a gift everyday.  I can't say I don't enjoy it. 

16 days until Christmas

I am so thankful for all the little kicks I get to experience. Today our little guy was very active. It's pretty fun and amazing.

17 Days Until Christmas

I am thankful for all the students I get to work with.  I love their energy and being able to journey with them during this unique time in their life.  It's pretty great. 

18 Days until Christmas

Today I am thankful for good food. I am blessed to never have to worry about eating. Anyone who knows me well knows I love food. I am enjoying this month of many tasty treats.

19 Days until Christmas

Mountain gymnastics in New Hampshire.

Today I am thankful for my health.  Since being pregnant, I have experienced a little bit of feeling out of control of my own body.  This has really given me perspective.  Being a gymnast for years and generally always being able to make physical goals for myself, my eyes have been opened to how much this is a gift. 

Only 23 weeks..uh oh.

I am more than half way through.  23 weeks this week and feeling huge.  Maybe huge is too much?  I feel like I am growing and growing really fast.  It makes me a little nervous for the future.  I did read recently that these next 8 or 9 weeks I will do the most amount of growing in inches and weight gain than any other part of the pregnancy.  At this point, I am feeling that is true.  All of a sudden I am obviously pregnant.  I can't hide it.  I can't fit into any of my pants.  I get kicked all the time. 

The kicks I gotta say, I love.  Not the ones that kick me towards my insides.  That just feels weird.  The kicks I can feel from the outside are awesome.  I especially love when Rick gets to feel it too.  This has only happened a few times but it's fun.  Recently I have been calling are baby "little man."  I think he likes it.  I have been playing this game where if I feel a good kick, I go ahead and kick back.  Not too hard though (just a little poke I guess).  He responds!  I read this somewhere as well.  The other morning we went back and forth about 5 times each.  It was awesome.

Some new pics for your enjoyment:

20 Days until Christmas

Today I am thankful for my job.  I am blessed to work at a place I love and really believe in.  It is also pretty amazing that everyone I work with I can call my friend. 

20 Days of Christmas

For the next 20 days I am going to try and post everyday.  I plan to post short words and pictures to share about the things I am most thankful for (extending Thanksgiving and preparing for Christmas).  I know this can be a busy time of year and with so many life changes going on around me, I think this will help me not to forget the blessings I have been and currently are surrounded by.

Psalm 30:11-12

You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever.