Karate Kicks

Even though I only have a few weeks left in my second trimester [WHAT?!?!] I'm starting to enjoy this pregnancy more than ever! Our stresses have started to melt away [lets hope it stays that way!] we've gotten to spend some family time together, my hip issues are healing and baby is able to move freely now, I'm eating like a 300 lb man...Things are definitely looking up!

I wanted to share this with you all. I woke up this morning with some amazing karate kicks from Baby. It started warming up last night while I was helping Eamon with his homework, and have been getting stronger ever since :]

Isn't it the best?!?
I hope you're all having a wonderful Tuesday and enjoying the crisp air!

Mae

A lot to be thankful for

At the end of 2009/beginning of 2010 we were in a rough patch...for a couple of months. It seemed like every week I had to send out a new prayer request to fill our hungry bellies, heal Eamon's toe, fix our car, SOMETHING. This actually made someone we know send us an email to the effect of
"No one can have that much need all of the time. Either you think it's worse than it is, or you're doing something wrong."
It hurt, and made me really bitter. And since then, I hate asking for help.

So...in the past two months the past events have played out like this:

  • Eamon switches his job and takes a huge pay cut of about 60%.
  • We get cut off of Food Stamps bc I missed an appointment [bc we only have one car...]
  • Rusty gets attacked my a pit bull through our living room window.
  • New rowdy neighbors threaten Eamon and accuse him of being racist.
  • Lily falls and cracks her head open, getting 27 stitches.
  • We end up staying at friends houses bc we don't feel safe in our apartment because of threatening neighbor man.
  • We move into a new apartment.
  • And in two weeks, Eamon won't have a job for a few weeks because of Christmas break.

Add to this me being pregnant and you have a helluva mess.

But last week, I had to ask for help. I was falling apart, having panic attacks, not knowing what to do about much of anything. I felt stupid. I sent out an email to a dozen of my friends and birth team letting them know our stress situation, and ask them for help. It's the week of Thanksgiving y'all...I don't expect much help, and I'm scared to death of being judged.

But my God is good, and even more, He oversees everything. His widdled down my support group to the most beautiful, gracious, giving, selfless, wonderful women. Every one of them came through for me in some way. Bringing us groceries, volunteering their husbands to help us...ahem, Eamon, move, ordering us a meal or bringing one over so I don't have to cook, covering me in prayer, bringing Lily winter clothes...It's been a bit overwhelming how much love there is in my life right now. I continue to pray blessings over them and their families and hope that one day I'm in the position to help someone like they've helped me.

So despite being in crisis mode for all of the reasons listed above, this is what I will be giving thanks for:

  • Reevaluating our budget to put every penny to God's perfect use.
  • Rusty being completely healed and on guard at our new apartment.
  • New neighbors with a daughter who's a month younger than Lily.
  • Lily's nearly healed head that looks like a cat scratch now.
  • Friends who will support and help us through a million different situations
  • A new, bigger, nicer apartment [with two bathrooms! The tub is deep enough to cover my belly!!!]
  • And an opportunity for Eamon to find a better job come this holiday season, hopefully carrying on through the next year

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving! December is tomorrow! Hope it's starting to get chilly where you are!

Oh and let's not forget our tiniest [well, by weight] blessing :]

Mae