And another...

I liked this one too, so I thought I would share it:

I love that I can set things on my tummy and they actually stay. I put cups there all the time! :-)

A Picture

Here is one belly shot:

Thanks Jenn Dabb! This is what she came up with on the spot when I asked her if she would take some pictures for me. She is going to take some more in the days to come.

If you saw me pregnant with Chloe or Jake you may notice that my tummy seems smaller. I have gained just as much weight, but I am carrying Owen much smaller than the other two. Weird. Each pregnancy is different. This one has come with its own set of challenges and many aches and pains. We are almost to the finish line though!

Little Owen, I can't wait to meet you!

Baby Owen Update

I am officially full term! Yipee!! I had a doctor's appointment today and wanted to post on my progress. As of today I am 75% effaced and barely dilated. Last week I was not effaced or dilated at all, so we've definitely made progress! I still don't have any expectations of going early, since I was 4 centimeters dilated a week before Jake was born (2 days late), but I have been asking God that he would be born in December. Only God knows when Owen will arrive!

I am grateful that baby Owen is growing and is safe and snug in there for now. While I am ready for him to come anytime, I do love feeling him move as often as he does. Sometimes I think he is confused and is trying to climb out of my belly-button! He is one active baby. I am eager to hold this little one and to introduce him to Chloe and Jake. They are eager to meet their little brother too...well, at least Chloe is. She told me the other day that she loved her brother Owen and that she hoped he would come out. Me too Sweetheart!

This is Kevin's last week of classes before the 2 week Christmas break. He starts back on January 5th (thus asking God for a December baby). It would be nice to have Owen for a few days - dare I say a week...or 2 even!? - before his classes begin again. I would love it if Kev didn't have to miss any classes. We will just have to trust in God and depend on his plan to be perfect because it always is. You could join us in asking for a December baby and in praying that Kevin will finish this week strong. He has worked incredibly hard this semester and I am happy he will have a break!

Anyway, I just wanted to update those of you who have been wondering how things are going with this pregnancy. I'll post belly shots...after I take some. Poor third baby - we don't have ANY of my pregnant belly this time! I guess we'll have to fix that very soon.

Romans 16:25-27

Through tears and with great joy I have just finished memorizing the book of Romans. Here are the final verses:

Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith - to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen.

Father, I am overwhelmed at your faithfulness to me throughout this year. Thank you for strengthening me! Thank you for revealing the mystery of the gospel! Thank you for your word which is sweet to my soul and like honey in my mouth. I am - undone.

I echo Paul's words, "to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ!"

Papa Tom

Just now my little Chloe said this:

I cush (wish) I could go to Papa Tom's house 'cause I want to give him a big hug! I want to hug Papa Tom!

It delighted me to hear her say this about my dad. We weren't talking about him and she just thought of him. I understand her feelings.

Girlie, your mommy wants to give him a hug, too!

Romans 16:21-23

Three more verses down only three to go! Praise God!!

Timothy, my fellow worker, greets you; so do Lucius and Jason and Sosipater, my kinsmen. I Tertius, who wrote this letter, greet you in the Lord. Gaius, who is host to me and to the whole church, greets you. Erastus, the city treasurer, and our brother Quartus, greet you.

Romans 16:19-20

Only 6 verses to go! Today's memory work:

For your obedience is know to all, so that I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil. The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

Romans 16:17-18

Today's memory work brings us to the final section in the book of Romans:

I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.

Romans 16:13-16

Today's memory work:

Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord; also his mother, who has been a mother to me as well. Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers who are with them. Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you.

Romans 16:9-12

Yippee!! 4 more verses down, 14 to go!

Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and my beloved Stachys. Greet Apelles, who is approved in Christ. Greet those who belong to the family of Aristobulus. Greet my kinsmen Herdonian. Greet those in the Lord who belong to the family of Narcissus. Greet those workers in the Lord Tryphaena and Tryphosa. Greet the beloved Persis, who has worked hard in the Lord.

Romans 16:5-8

Today's memory work:

Greet also the church in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in Asia. Greet Mary, who has worked hard for you. Greet Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners. They are well known to the apostles, and they were in Christ before me. Greet Ampliatus, my beloved in the Lord.

Romans 16:1-4

Today, I began memorizing the final chapter of Romans! I praise God for his faithfulness to me!

I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church at Cenchreae, that you may welcome her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints, and help her in whatever she may need from you, for she has been a patron of many and of myself as well. Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who risked their necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks but all the churches of the Gentiles give thanks as well.