Today's a COOL day!

It’s January 14^th. Well, it might not be January 14^th when you read this, but it is January 14 while I’m writing it. Did you know today is a pretty cool day? Yep, yep, yep. It ‘tis, it ‘tis … and not just because a complete stranger told me “your hair is soo pretty” earlier today. Although that was really cool b/c I’ve been having some r-o-u-g-h hair days lately.

No, today is a pretty special day because it serves as a milestone for Baby Funderburk. You wanna know what that milestone is? Huh, huh, huh? You know you do!

Yeah, I thought you might … I hope you’re ready because I might blow your mind. Not because I don’t think you’re capable of understanding or following me, but because this thing --- I call it ‘preggers math’ --- it’s still baffling me to some degree. But, maybe it’s ‘preggers brain’ that is keeping me from really understanding? Hehe. Who knows?

Here we go . . .

I assume you all know, but in case you don’t … a completely healthy pregnancy lasts 9 months. Those 9 months are divided into 3 trimesters with 3 months each. 3 trimesters x 3 months = 9 months.  Got it?

I started my second trimester 13 days ago … the day after the 12 week mark. Makes sense right? 3 months x 4 weeks per month = 12 weeks. So, at 12 weeks and 1 day I started my second trimester. The first trimester was over. Right? 

You still with me? Good.

Today is January 14. Today is my 14 weeks mark. My due date is July 14. Today marks 6 more months before Baby Funderburk makes his or her debut. Go ahead, count it on your fingers. January 14 to July 14^th is exactly 6 months, or two full trimesters left. So, how did I start my second trimester 13 days ago?

As if that’s not enough to ponder … 9 months x 4 weeks per month = 36 weeks. So, how is 9 months equal to 40 weeks when you’re pregnant?

That can’t be right. But wait … how many weeks are in a year? If you answered 52, maybe you are smarter than a 5^th grader. Hehe. Maybe it does make sense. If there are 52 weeks in a year and you subtract 40 weeks you have 12 weeks leftover, which would be 3 months. Add those 3 months to the 9 months associated with pregnancy to equal 12 months which is exactly a year. No denying that --- 12 months = 1 year, correct?  

Did I make your mind do a jig? If so, good. It’s always fun to do a little jig … Hehe. Chances are I’ll be feeling Baby Funderburk doing jigs in a few weeks.

So, now that we’ve had fun, you probably forgot that I was telling you about a baby milestone that makes today a pretty cool day. Regardless of the confusing (or completely understandable) ‘preggers math’ above, today definitely does mark 6 months before Baby Funderburk graces us with its presence. That, my friends, is why today is a pretty cool day.

That means I’m 1/3 through this pregnancy. It for sure means I’m past the first trimester, whether it started 13 days ago or today. I give God all the praise for that blessing! And, even if for no other reason, it’s just exciting for this new mother-to-be. And, as silly as that may seem, that is why today is a cool day for me.

6 months seems far away. But, yet it seems so near.     

I hope you had a cool day too!

I will love it, and hug it, and name it ...

So, the news is out. I’m pregnant. And, with pregnancy comes oodles of ailments and side affects…like morning sickness, tiredness, acne, feeling like a bloated walrus, frequent potty breaks, heartburn, cravings, sleepless nights…yeah, all those “fun” things. And, all those things can be trying and frustrating, among several other emotions. They can also be reassuring. Reassuring that my body and baby are just fine. After all, they are natural side effects that the female human body experiences as a direct result of the privilege of growing a wee-one. (Okay, maybe I threw in the “reassuring” bit to make me feel better today after a horribly sleepless night. I’m guilty. But it worked, so be happy for me.)  I’ve experienced, and am still experiencing several of them. But, I must say that for me, more important than any and all of those things is another side affect. The daily conscious recognition (and reminder) of God’s hand print…His mighty work…His faithfulness…His promises. I truly am overwhelmed … even among the frequent potty breaks and sleepless nights.  

I don’t question that this baby growing in my tummy – the one that will soon be kicking my bladder at all times of the day – the one that will bestow upon me many sleepless nights in the next 20 years – the one that I’m sure will make tears come to my eyes over and over again, both happy and sad – the one that I’m sure might bring out the angry and disappointed side of me (and my dear hubby) – it is a gift from God.  

A gift.

A gift for which I am undeserving. After all, I am just human. I am just a sinner. God chose to bless Jeremy and me with this gift. Despite our faults. Despite our failures. Despite our sinning nature.  

I prayed for this gift. We prayed for this gift. God answered our prayers. I am humbled. I am grateful. I am proud. I am happy. I am joyful. I am thankful … for salvation first of all, for my wonderful husband, for the baby and for the daily reminder that God’s hand is in my life. Even if it is reminded through sleepless nights, and frequent potty breaks, and heartburn, and fatigue, and hunger …

So this gift - I will love it, and hug it, and name it …

It’ll be another 6 months or so before I can finish that. J

“Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father.” NLT James 1:17

Life Lessons

I know my blog is supposed to be thoughts inspired by me. However, I received the following in an email today from a friend. Hi friend! :)  And, while I didn't actually write this myself, when I read each of them, I think about how they have been inspirational in my life. You might feel the same way when you read them. Some of them I learned the hard way. i.e. I was bit in the butt with their reality. Others were shared with me by wise elders in my life ... my mom, my dad, my friends, my preachers, my teachers, etc. Others were shown to me through my faith and walk with God. And, still others are yet to be real to me in my life - life lessons unlearned. So, while the following wasn't actually "written" by me. I think it is worthy to be posted. Here. For you. To read.

Written by Regina Brett, 90 years old, of the Plain Dealer, Cleveland , Ohio .

"To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most requested column I've ever written. My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.

5. Pay off your credit cards every month.

6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.

8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.

9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.

10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.

13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.

15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.

16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.

20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.

21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.

23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.

24. The most important sex organ is the brain.

25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'

27. Always choose life.

28. Forgive everyone everything.

29. What other people think of you is none of your business.

30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.

31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

33. Believe in miracles.

34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.

35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.

37. Your children get only one childhood.

38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.

41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

42. The best is yet to come...

43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

44. Yield.

45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.

161. Hubby who doesn’t mind “cooking” dinner when I don’t feel like it (even if it was just frozen pizza)

162. Hubby who fixes me chocolate milk to have with previously mentioned pizza

163. Text messages from sisters just to say “I love you”

164. That my brother lives close enough that I get to attend and sing with him at church

165. Monthly Planners

166. Monthly planners that are gifted from a friend who shares my love for the “perfect” planner

167. Game Apps on my phone

168. Tylenol

169. Polish to paint my piggy’s

170. Cupcakes

171. Insurance

172. Space heaters

173. Email

174. CDs

175. Cars with CD players

176. Capri Pants that I can wear to work (even if it’s crazy that I’m wearing Capri’s on November 24)

143. Candles

144. Scented Spray

145. People who like their job

146. Milk

147. Showers … not just baths

148. Bubble Baths

149. Warm water

150. MEMORIES

151. Kemper Academy

152. East Mississippi Community College

153. Delta State University

154. Facebook

155. Scripture

156. Scripture that speaks to my heart

157. Magazines

158. Flowers

159. Butterflies

160. Blogspot

113. Full moons

114. Clear sky

115. Full moons and clear skies together

116. Full moons and clear skies together out in the country so you can really enjoy the twinkling stars

117. Highways

118. The radio

119. CDs

120. BGF

121. Puppys

122. Dinner dates

123. Thanksgiving

124. Christmas

125. Movie theaters

126. Good movies

127. Good movies shared with hubby and nieces

128. Church

129. Sunday

130. Worship

131. Freedom to worship

132. Chicken Pot Pie cooked by MIL

133. Anything cooked by MIL

134. Hugs from MIL (or any family, for that matter)

135. Congratulation wishes

136. Milk

137. Milk with Chocolate

138. Milk with cookies

139. The butterfly in my stomach when I see my hubby after being apart for a few days

140. Kisses from hubby

141. Hugs from hubby

142. New beginnings

Just Married ... Happily Ever After

98. a "Happily Ever After" ending
99. Disney's Photopass Program (because they took the below pictures)
100. Magic Kingdom

101. Animal Kingdom

102. Epcot

 103. Hollywood Studios

104. Honeymoons

105. Happy Honeymoons

106. Honeymoons that continue once home

107. Breakfast on dear hubby's day off (he gets up to cook breakfast even though its his day off!)

108. Eggs

109. Toast

110. Chocolate Milk (yep, those 3 things were breakfast this am...if you were wondering)

111. Lunches with dear hubby on his day off

112. days off (although they are few and far between for me)