To Have More Kids, Or To Not

That is the question...

I have to admit, I have enjoyed this summer, not being pregnant. I don't have to worry about overexerting myself or feeling bad about eating junk food sometimes. I also am able to enjoy an ice cold beer when I want too, especially delicious at our cookouts during football games.

I'm also a lot less worried about my weight when I'm not thinking about getting pregnant again. I'm finally shedding pounds consistently and I'm loving the results. I still have another 10-15lbs to get back to my pre-baby weight. It has been slow going, but it is happening.

I know being pregnant isn't all that bad, but it means being a lot more conscious about everything you do. And I remember being really tired. I also worry about weighing more than I did the first time.

In theory, I shouldn't gain as much weight, but I don't want it to affect our new baby either, or make me a whale in a year. I've been working on the weight department all summer and I have lost a good 10lbs is you can believe it. I had a really hard time loosing weight right after Zoey was born. Then again, I would rather I have a few extra pounds and Zoey (and our next baby) be healthy and strong. So I feel like I'm doing alright where it really matters.

I'm also not looking forward to being pregnant and keeping up with Zoey. I can picture Zoey with a newborn in tow, but I can't quite imagine her being very happy about me not being able to move much those last few months.

Though, I realize women have been doing this for centuries and have no problem with multiple children. And all of the other stuff...of course it's worth it. When those new baby eyes look up at you, it's always worth it.

It doesn't help that I have several friends about to give birth. In fact, my cousin just had her son today. It doesn't help with the increasing baby fever.

To have more kids or to not, that is the question. But it's not really a question at all I suppose. Of course, I want more kids. Stephen and I knew when we married that we wanted multiple children and that hasn't changed.

That does bring a whole other side of the thought to more kids. In our eyes, Zoey has been the best kid ever, she is smart, mild mannered, and all around awesome. What if the next kid isn't? Will we still be able to love him or her as much? I know the answer is yes, but these are the things I think about.

Well, I definitely want more kids, even with all of the questioning. All the sacrifices are beyond worth it and we will love him or her with everything we are, just like we love Zoey.

However, I've also learned so things along this journey we call life. I know this time around to appreciate life now. I know to enjoy who I am, who my family is right now. I know to be patient and to not let the baby fever get to me. I know that God has a wonderful plan for my life and for my family, I just have to wait on His blessing and His timing. So I am.

When the time comes, the sacrifices will be made and I will be excited. Until then I am going to enjoy the little things in life and be excited.

Zoey just after birth. Look at those eyes, oh yes, completely worth it!

Welcome Back

I haven't written anything on my blog in a couple of weeks, 20 days to be exact. It turns out that September is extremely busy. We have had friends and family visiting off and on all month. This past week was our first "normal" week since before August ended. I suppose I've been too busy living and less worried about recording or contemplating all of it. But I knew it would come back eventually. This is basically my journal and I can't go without an entry for too long. So tonight, I'm back.

I'm enjoying life right now, so I'm not pressuring myself to write everyday like I was. I thank all of those who read what I write. I love reading comments and hearing what you have to think about what I say as well as things going on in your life. I hope to continue to reach out to others through my blog and share all the funny, serious, believable and unbelievable moments.

I will also continue to share some bible study sessions. I'm debating about starting a new blog focused more on bible study and leaving this one focused on life. However, I don't know if I can keep up with both. And for me bible study is part of life. So we'll see on that one. Let me know if you have an opinion.

In other news, I've been writing again and working on my novel. This is a project that I've been working on now and then, but lately I've been having some inspiration and success getting all of my thoughts down. It's still in the early stages, but I'm really excited about it. I'm sure it will come up here some too.

I hope everyone is having a great fall! I look forward to connecting with everyone again.

Amanda

Wordless Wednesday

Labor Day and Catching Up

We had a great Labor Day weekend! It was really exciting to have an extra day with Stephen off work. Zoey was so excited to spend the holiday with her Daddy at home.

Zoey running to the water with sand on
her face, but with a great shot of the
Sullivan Lighthouse!

We did a lot of relaxing. Which was great for all of us, but we did manage to make it to the beach. It was perfect weather, not to hot and not to cold. We spent most of the afternoon swimming and playing in the sand. Zoey LOVES the beach and the ocean. She will run right out into the waves and doesn't even mind if they hit her head on. She will just go with it. She has her swimming floats on and she is even ready to go past the breakers and swim. I love that she enjoys the water so much because it is one of my favorite things to do. It is something great we can share together and with Daddy too.

Zoey loves playing on the beach, swimming in the ocean
and crashing into waves!

Labor Day Weekend also gave me a chance to catch up with some old friends that live in different cities. There wasn't really anything exciting to report, but it is good to catch up with each other and touch base. Life gets so busy, sometimes you have to make yourself slow down a little and remember the people who matter.

I also have some cool crafts to get started on, which I am really excited about. It was a great weekend and it's going to be a great week too.

I hope you had a great Labor Day weekend and have a blessed week as well!

Call Out to Jesus (Mark 6:47-51)

Open Bible Study

Mark 6: 47-51

Late that night, the disciples were in their boat in the middle of the lake, and Jesus was alone on land. He saw that they were in serious trouble, rowing hard and struggling against the wind and the waves. About 3 o'clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. He intended to go past them, but when they saw him walking on the water, they cried out in terror, thinking he was a ghost. They were all terrified when they saw him. But Jesus spoke to them at once. "Don't be afraid!" He said. "Take Courage! I am here!" Then he climbed into the boat, and the wind stopped. They were totally amazed. [NLT]

I have one point to make with this scripture, and it is an important one...

We have to call out to Jesus!!!

Even though Jesus saw his disciples and knew they were in trouble He intended to walk past them. It was not until they called out to Him that He went to them. Only then did he join them and calm the storm. "Don't be afraid!" He said. "I am here!"

Without Jesus we are just "rowing hard and struggling against wind and waves" and getting nowhere. But with Jesus in our boat, by our side, there is not even a storm to struggle against.

Jesus is ready and waiting to calm us and our storms in life, but we have to take the first step. We have to call out to Jesus!

[original photo credit]