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.