ThankFULL

I am now in my 15th week, and while I can't say things are great, they are better! Pregnancy has certainly been a roller coaster! Along with the extreme morning sickness (I have seen the inside of a bathroom more than the inside of our new house), there have been a whirlwind of other pregnancy signs. The last few weeks have brought the worst acne of my life (my blunt, pre-teen 12 year-olds are asking ME what all the red bumps on my face are), extreme exhaustion (I feel like a toddler from all the naps I take), sudden bouts of nausea that require me to eat immediately (I carry around a small convenience store in my purse), excessive burping (my husband is now calling ME gross), 2 a.m. trips to the restroom (I am convinced my body thinks it is preparing me for 2 a.m. feedings), and several other symptoms that would just be too much information.

With all that said (sometimes it is good just to get it out!), these things have not been my focus, just challenges to overcome. A few weeks ago I was able to get up early and felt good enough to go to Frist Priority (thank you Zofran!). In reflecting to prepare the devo that week, I did a lesson with the kids on being thankful in honor of Thanksgiving. Our target verse for the week was:

"Rejoice always, pray continually, and give thanks in ALL circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

After a VERY emotional week, I thought what better for a blog post than a list of the top 10 things I am thankful for?

1. a patient and understanding Heavenly Father who has given me so many unexpected blessings in my life
2. a quirky, patient, fun husband who began embracing his new father-to-be responsibilities with a smile several weeks ago - from holding back my hair to getting our new home ready for a family of three
3. a new little baby bump that has popped out in the last week for me to rub and poke at and talk to that shows the healthy little one snuggled up inside
4. a mom who has cooked for us every day and helped me in so many other ways at a time I needed the help the most
5. a dad who has "played it cool" about becoming a granddad, but deep down I know he is so excited because he has put his new "James Bond" car outside in the cold and frost at night so his preggo daughter can have his warm spot in the garage
6. an excited sister who, I am convinced, has already bought more stuff for the baby than I have
7. an amazing support system of women at work who have helped me get through the last few weeks in every way imaginable
8. a great group of excited kids at school who ask me EVERY day OVER and OVER if it's a boy or a girl, when it's due, (yes, they forget their homework too), if I am feeling ok, and what we are going to name it
9. one of my sweet little girls who gives me a hug at least once a day, although she has no idea how much I look foward to it (6th graders don't dish out many voluntary hugs to their teachers) and every time she does it makes me excited for May and the chance to hug our little one
10. amazing friends that I don't get to spend as much time with as I would like to, but are always there for me to celebrate new adventures