Week In Review (Longest Post Ever!!)

What a great week this has been!!  Week 36 has been full, and I mean FULL of nesting, cleaning, organizing, laughing, eating, and doing "stuff."  It has been great!  We certainly haven't rested much, but we have gotten so many things done, that I now feel totally ready for Miss Ava, should she decide to make her debut!  I have much to blog about, but only now have I had time to sit and do it.  My Mom has been here all week and now she is on her way home.  I have LOVED having her here, this week has flown by.  I thought the best way to fill you in, and to tell my Dad what we've been up to, is to do a "Week in Review" for you :) So, here we go!!

MONDAY- 

Betty Crocker arrives!  Just in time to help me with the monster-to-list I have created.

She dives right in and starts the week off by making us dinner.  Already we're both very thankful to have her!!  

We have a wonderful new meal, Orange Cranberry Chicken.  Really, so good.  Several of you have asked me for the recipe, so here it is:

Orange Cranberry Chicken

-boneless, skinless chicken breasts (# depends on how many people you are serving)

-1, 16oz. can of whole cranberry sauce

-1 C bottled French Salad Dressing

-1/2 C Orange Juice

-1 envelope onion soup mix

-1/2 tsp. Seasoned Salt (Lawry's)

1. Spray 9x13 with nonstick cooking spray.  Arrange chicken breasts in dish.

2.  In bowl- combine cranberry sauce, salad dressing, orange juice, onion soup mix and salt.  Pour evenly over chicken breasts.  Cover and refrigerate 8 hours or overnight.

3.  Bake uncovered at 350, 45-60 min.  Serve with brown or wild rice.  Enjoy!

We begin the first of 12 loads of laundry, for Ava!! Yes, I said 12 loads.  Holy cow, if this is a sign of things to come, just chain me to the washer and dryer now!!  

We end the day with the best news, my best friend Amber and her husband Tim, welcome their second baby into the world, and it's a girl!!  Sweet baby Brynn is born and Ella becomes a big sister.  These two cuties will be future playmates of Ava's and I predict they will give us a run for our money, just like their 2 mommies did for our parents :)  Congrats Amber and Tim!!

TUESDAY- 

Today we went to my 36 week visit and everything looked great!  The doctor ruled out a small baby for us, after she heard that I was 9lbs 7oz and Travis was over 8lbs too.  On the negative side, I also may have gained back more weight than I was hoping for, but the very good news is that something indeed is happening.  My cervix is officially soft!  Closed, but soft.  It was the best thing I heard all day.  And who knew I would ever feel that way??  I celebrated by eating way too much of my Mom's famous brisket.  It seemed fitting :) 

WEDNESDAY-

This was a to-do-list day.  In addition to a million more loads of laundry, My Mom also helped me by doing lots of the nitty, gritty stuff that only Moms can do with love :) Things like washing blinds, washing windows, bleaching the sink, cleaning the kitchen, etc., etc.  It was wonderful.  We rewarded ourselves by watching the American Idol results and putting Ava's bouncy seat together.  

Ryley just watched and probably wondered what is happening to his life??

Here is my little lamb seat :) For my little lamb to sit in.  Isn't it cute??

THURSDAY-

Today my Mom went to work with me and met the little guys that I nanny for.  We had fun and were quite entertained with their questions, especially as they tried to figure out how I "got" my Mom.  Barrett asked me if I bought her?  After we spent the day with them, we got home and put some finishing touches on the nursery.  Let me give you a tour of Ava's wardrobe and changing table :) 

Here is the cutest changing pad and cover you have ever seen!  My Mom surprised me and ordered it .  It came this week and it matches our crib bedding!  It is so cute in person.  I just love it.  Now I have to make sure Ava doesn't poop on it :) 

Here is the little sweet dish we found this week for her pacifiers.  My Mom boiled all of them so they are sanitized and ready to go.  

Here diapers are unpacked and organized!  They are so tiny, it's hard to believe they'll fit :) 

This drawer gives me joy.  To see all of those diapers lined up perfectly makes me want to hug someone.  

Here is her stack of freshly washed blankets, burp cloths, wash cloths, towels, swaddlers and receiving blankets.  

Her top drawer is full of gowns, sleepers, hats, socks and bibs.  And it smells of dreft.  I wish I could climb in and lay my head down among them!

Her second drawer is full of 0-3 onesies.  And they are adorable.

And her are her 0-3 outfits, in her third drawer.  I just can't decide which one I love best!

And her fourth drawer holds all kinds of darling 0-3 tops and pants.  And sleep sacks.  

But here is the best part.  Her closet.  Those are her clothes, all freshly washed and organized from 0-12 months.   Her shoes are in here and 2 bins of clothes from 18-24 months.  What a blessing, we are set!  Now you can see how we got to 12 loads of laundry for Ava alone :) 

FRIDAY-

This was an action-packed day!  I will let the pictures do most of the talking :) 

I'm sure you don't know what this is?  This is Ava's bag, all packed and ready to go to the hospital!  

This is the monster-to-do list I referenced earlier.  Today we were able to mark 90% of it off!  What a good feeling that is :) 

And here is another list, taped to the back of our front door, for Travis.  It is a list of what to bring to the hospital, in case I'm not with him and he has to get our stuff alone.  For anyone who knows my husband, this is a must :)  I did have to black a few things out to show you, I decided the world wide web didn't need to know everything that we needed.  Just to be clear this is list # 2 of 2.  The first one is taped to our bathroom mirror and contains the details of what to add to both of our bags, you know, the last minute stuff.  Today I packed my bag and Travis' bag.  That feels great.  Did I mention how much I love lists??

All week long we've been getting visits from the UPS man at night.  It's been like Christmas!  Here is one of the sweetest things we received from Rebecca Jo.  The cutest little knitted bib and hat.  Thank you!!  We love it!!

And here is another cute package from the couple I used to work for in Naples.  They sent us that little bunny, a darling dress and a rosebud headband!  Isn't it adorable?  Looks like an Easter dress to me :) Thank you Roberta and Michael!

This toile boppy cover and those burp cloths came from my brother-in-law's sister, Leta and her husband Jay.  I love it!!  They match all her things so well and that cover is so soft on the other side.  Leta, what a fun surprise!  Thank you.

We got this little booster seat from Trav's Granny and aunt Sue!  It will be great for all of our travels to and from camps and retreats.  Thank you for sending that!  Ava will get much use out of it I'm sure :) 

And finally, here is a fun little book from our friend Julie.  It's full of great swaddling tips and baby-wearing ideas.  What a fun read!  Thanks Julie :) 

Here is the big news of the day...the guest bed is gone!!  We have been trying to figure out what to do with this bed for months.  We wanted to keep it, but we just don't have the storage for it.  Yesterday I finally decided I was ready to sell it.  So, we washed everything, listed it on Craig's List and 3 hours later, it was gone!!  The Lord blessed us tremendously and worked that out so well.  I listed it at noon, received one email at 1:00.  By 3:30 a sweet engaged couple was at our door, with cash in hand, ready to haul it out.  They got the deal of the century, but so did we.  We got it out of the nursery, without having to haul it somewhere, and we enough cash to buy our infant seat/stroller.  The one major thing we were missing!  It was kind of surreal to think it all happened in less than a day, but what a relief that was.  

So now there is a hole in Ava's nursery, ready for a crib that should be coming very soon!!  I've never been so happy to see a blank wall!!

Because it was such a busy day, I was exhausted by mid-afternoon.  My sweet husband felt sorry for me and offered to do something he's never done.  He offered to paint my toe-nails for me!  Here we are, talking about how he should do that :) 

Even he was getting sick of seeing my fading pedicure!  Of course I had to summon my Mom to record this blessed event :) 

I must say, he did a great job!  

It's hard to make 9 month, swollen feet and toes look good, but he did!  

Later that night, our friends Kristian and Emily came over and ate with us.  They brought us some dessert and a sweet baby gift, but Kristian helped Travis hang a big antique mirror that I've been asking about for awhile.  

I love it!  We managed to drag ourselves into bed last night because all of us faced a very busy day today...

SATURDAY- 

Today was another fun day, my friends hosted a baby shower for me, with lots of my staff friends and wives.  It was so much fun and my Mom got to come with me :) 

Here I am, about to fill my plate up with lots of great food!!

This is my Mom and I with my sweet friend Sherry, who hosted all of us.  

Ava is trying desperately to make an appearance in this picture!

We received so many wonderful things!  Look at all those pink packages!!

These are two of my friends, Stef and Wendy, who also helped throw this shower for me.  

Some of the women, playing a game I was horrible at :) 

Lots of scheming and brainstorming going on over there :) 

It was so much fun to celebrate with all of these women.  We have been so blessed to have so many people in our church, staff wives, elder's wives, and women in my Bible study, who have faithfully prayed on our behalf for Ava.  For the 3 years since we have been here, we have been trying for a baby.  These women have walked along side me and supported me, so today it was very sweet to celebrate with them.  I am so grateful to all of them for the sweet gifts and the practical things we needed that we now have :)   It was also fun to introduce everyone to my Mom and to share this memory with her.  

Tonight, after Travis gets home, we have a pack and play and high chair to put together.  With every box we open and every piece of equipment we assemble, this gets more and more real...

And I have some more clothes and accessories to wash and organize :) 

But I'll get to that later.  For now, I'm resting on our bed, feeling very thankful for all that we got done and very ready for Ava to come.  Mom, thank you for a wonderful week.  It was great to have you here.  My ribs officially hurt from laughing too much and I'm sure I gained some more weight from all your meals!  But, I loved having you here and I will forever be grateful for the peace of mind and help you gave me.  Dad, thanks for sacrificing a week with Mom and for loaning her to me :) We packed lots in this week and had a fun time doing it.  Travis just called and is on his way home from a fun day too.  Student ministries hosted their annual Dodgeball Tournament today and they broke the world record for the largest game played!!  He said it was great, their largest turnout ever, but of course he is exhausted and will most likely be sore for a few days!  I have dinner in the crock pot and I'm anxious to spend the night hearing all about it :)  

Have a wonderful weekend!!  Thanks for reading the longest post EVER.  Hope it wasn't too boring :) 

Random Ramblings

It's Tuesday night and we just finished watching American Idol. This is a tough season! There are so many good people, I would have a hard time deciding who to vote off! My favorites are all guys, I love Danny, Kris and Matt right now. But, there are several others that are great too.

Anyway, I've been quiet for a few days because I've been busy getting stuff done!! Yay, my Mom is here this week :) She's on Spring Break, so she is spending her vacation with Travis and I, helping us get ready for Ava and giving me a break in the kitchen. It's only been 2 days and it's been Heaven so far!

Here she is, Betty Crocker herself!  Have I mentioned she has quite a sense of humor??  She made us a great dinner last night and tonight and we are loving it.  We're getting spoiled.  

My Mom always encouraged me to win Travis over when we were dating, with my cooking :) She knew the way to most men's hearts and the way to my man's heart.  From day one, Travis has been taken care of by the Ferguson women!!  Of course she encouraged me in other ways while were dating, things having to do with character and integrity, you know, we're not just all about food!  But let me tell anyone who is single and waiting for the right guy, get in that kitchen and bulk up your cooking skills!  I don't know too many men who don't love a great home cooked meal :)  

Last night she made us a new thing, Cranberry Orange Chicken, with wild rice and green bean casserole.  It was delicious!  Really, really good.  We all liked it.  I'll post the recipe on here, hopefully tomorrow.  Tonight she made a family favorite and Travis' favorite meal, barbeque brisket.  Ohhh, it was so good.  We all ate like pigs, some of us more than others!  My Mom makes a mean brisket, it just fell off the bone.  

But here is what we've been doing more than anything, Ava's laundry. This picture is notable, not because of the weight I've clearly gained after the last 2 meals, but because this is our first official load of Ava's clothes :) It smelled so Heavenly (like Dreft) I wanted to wash my clothes in it too!!  Is there anything better than the smell of fresh baby laundry??  Well, maybe the smell of my baby wearing the freshly washed clothes.  That sounds just about perfect!!

Perseverance In The Home Stretch

I found myself awake this morning, at 5:50 am, after Travis kissed me good-bye on his way to Church.  Usually I can just roll over and go right back to sleep, but these days, sleep is hard to come by and interruptions even harder to overcome.  But I always ask Travis to wake me before he leaves, so I wasn't unhappy about it this morning :)  In a way, I needed to be up early.  I know for a fact that I couldn't sleep because the Lord really needed my attention.  I fought it for a little while, but after tossing and turning and worrying and thinking, I decided I might as well face the music and sit down with Him.  We've been needing to talk...

I can honestly tell you that this past week has been one I'm glad to see go.  I have lost more sleep over more things and been riddled with stress day after day.  Sure there have been some good moments, but for the most part it's just been a heavy week.  You know what I mean, the kind that makes you stop dead in your tracks and wonder if you are crazy or the only one seeing the elephant in the room.  A week that makes you look up because you're convinced the ceiling is about to cave in at any moment.  One of THOSE weeks.  

For the last 6 weeks, I have been memorizing the first chapter of James as we walk through it in Church.  I've shared with you before about how the Lord has really impressed my heart this year with the need to memorize and meditate and absorb His word above all else.  Not just so I can say that I did it or be able to "cross it off my list" but so that I can really "get it" and be impacted by it, so that I can live it and walk in obedience to it.

I share this with you not to make myself look or feel better, but instead to testify to the power of it.  I can't even begin to describe what a blessing it has been.  Focusing on a chunk of scripture, just a few verses at time, has freed me up in a variety of ways.  It's allowed me to digest and marinate in His Word and to soak up His truth like never before.  It's eliminated that need to "perform" and make sure I "fill in all the blanks, have all the answers, read the book faster, concentrate harder, add another chapter" etc, etc.  I have received so much peace from just coming to His Word simply and then reading, re-reading, and re-re-reading until those Words have become hidden in my heart.  I've wrestled with them, broken them down, examined them, and thought about them.  I've been able to follow the insight from our Pastor as he preaches straight from the text, word for word each week.  And can I tell you what a life-saver it has been?  God has been faithful to show me the rewards of being obedient and devoted to knowing Him more.  In situation after situation those Words have been the first thought that has come to mind and in case after case, it's been those Words that have brought the exact  answer I need.  They've also kept me from "blowing it" in several instances that could have brought serious regret and consequences.  I love that.  I know that means God is using it to accomplish exactly what He wants to in me.  He is literally working me over through it.  

Now, has it been easy?  No!  Let me say that again, NO!!!  In fact, as I've worked James 1 out, it's been downright painful.  I probably should have seen it coming, as the 2nd verse reads like this:

"Consider it pure joy my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance and perseverance must finish its' work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking in anything."

I am here to tell you that this past week has been defined by trials of many kinds.  One after another.  And I don't mean breaking a pinky toe or waiting too long in line.  I mean serious trials that have caused Travis and I to experience a range of emotion.  Trials.  The testing of our faith.  Stuff nobody likes to face.  

But it's been our week for it.  And just like God promises, He's been very faithful to give us the wisdom we asked for, the answers we sought and the peace we so desperately needed. It's been painful.  But I can say that we've also been able to lay our heads down in peace, knowing we did what the Lord asked and we answer only to Him.  We can see the purity and joy that comes from obedience because we know that with each trial this week, our perseverance was being developed.  God was able to test our faith and use that test to continue to refine us and mature us.  We didn't get magical answers to every problem or even satisfaction in the way some of them worked out.  But we did gain something that was worth more than the sleeplessness or the stress.  We grew in obedience and in perseverance.  And God's word tells us that perseverance will only make us more mature and complete, not lacking in anything, so that God will be glorified and not us.  

And so on the brink of a new week, I find myself in need of the very perseverance God's Word has been teaching me about.  Today we reach 36 weeks in my pregnancy.  In other words, the home stretch.  36 weeks is an important milestone because it means essentially that she is just about full term.  If I go in to labor at any point now, my doctor most likely wouldn't stop it because she's ready to be here!  Obviously we have no guarantee about when she'll make her big debut or how many days and weeks we have left.   But I feel differently now.  I'm very, very tired.  Eating is not much fun and neither is working.  I'm having trouble sleeping.  We all know I'm having trouble walking!  The end is in sight and yet there is still a ways to go.  Perseverance is key.  And so, although I'm glad last week is over, I know it had a purpose.  And because I'm feasting on the simple truths of James 1, I can consider this journey in obedience, pure joy.  I'm hanging in there and putting one foot in front of the other.  I'm getting out of bed when I don't want to and I'm putting a smile on my face because God is with me every step of the way.  

I hope this is an encouragement for you to join me in hiding God's Word in your heart.  Believe it, drink it in, obey it, and watch what the Lord does.  His word does not return void, it always accomplishes what it sets out to do.  If you need some perseverance today, ask the Lord for it and then be prepared for the way you might get it :)  It's a brand new week and tomorrow will be a brand new day.  

 Our God is always good and very faithful to those who love Him.  

No matter the circumstance, no matter the outcome.  

He is Worthy of our obedience in all things. 

Happy Sunday to you : ) Be blessed!!

  

Isn't It Ironic??

"....Don't ya think??  It's like rain on your wedding day, a free ride when you've already paid...good advice, that ya just didn't take...and who would have thought, it figures..."  Sorry for the shameless reference to that Alanis song, an anthem straight out of my generation. Kind of takes me right back to high school every time I hear it.  I just couldn't resist.  

 Anyway, I have encountered a few things today that have been "ironic" in some way or another.  Since it's a Friday night and I'm home with my feet up, this is probably a post not worth your time, or mine, but what's a girl going to do when relegated to the couch...again?? 

And so we begin.  Meet the highlight/downfall of my week.  Yes, the girl scout cookies have arrived.  When the student we ordered them from found me on Wednesday night, I must admit, I think my heart skipped a beat.  I can openly say that I have a love affair with a certain cookie, the thin mint.  However, it would be disgraceful if I told you just how many of these precious things I have consumed, IN A SINGLE SETTING.  Not good.  And yet, soooooo good!  See, it's just ironic.  If Ava is born with her Mother's love for chocolate with a hint of mint, I blame the last 48 hours on that. 

 

Moving right along, here it is.  Our first official case of wipes.  Yep, we made a Costco run today.  Now why is this ironic?  Well it's ironic because I was a little bit giddy in the diaper/wipes aisle.  Who knew how fun it could be or how fulfilling it was to pull a case of these babies off the shelf and into our cart, for OUR KID???  It's ironic because this will probably be the last time I feel any sense of joy about buying them.  From this point on, for years and years to come, I will most likely dread the cash  I will be forking over for necessities like diapers and wipes.  Today, it seemed like a thrill.  In 2 months, it will be a costly hassle.  I just felt the need to point that out. 

Finally, I'd like to draw your attention to the last toe on my right foot.  Yes, my pinky toe.  Try not be distracted by the fact that I am overdue for a pedicure, but instead make note of the swelling and bruising pictured here.  If it wasn't enough to wipe out in a blizzard and fall flat on my back, now it is apparently a danger to my health just to walk from one room to another.  I believe I have broken my pinky toe after a dangerous run-in with our closet door this morning.  Immediately I knew this was worse than just a "stubbing incident" but when I examined it further and saw the purple-ish tint appearing on my toe, I knew this pregnancy needed to come to an end and soon.  For the sake of my pride and my body parts.  What's ironic about this little broken pinky is that the pain and discomfort I feel from a 5 lb, 16 inch, kicking child laying on my internal organs and causing shortness of breath, is a hundred times LESS than the pain and discomfort of my smallest appendage.  Who knew how painful a little toe could be??  Now, in addition to my permanent waddle, I also have a little bit of a limp, from the shooting pain I feel from the bottom of my toe to the top of my head.  Perfect.  I won't even mention the agony from shoving its' mangled little self into my shoe.  No I'll just leave you with that image and let you picture it.  Yep, it's ironic.  

Don't ya think??

30 Days From Now...

I realize today was probably just another Thursday for all of you, but do you know what the 12th of March means to us??? That's right, today marks just 30 days from Ava's due date!!! Holy Cow!! This is downright serious now :)

I have some fun pictures to share with you today, in honor of our 30 day countdown.

I got a call yesterday from the sweet woman who was working on the cushions for our glider and she told me they were done!!  I met her at Church last night and then sped home (don't tell anyone) so I could get them on that glider and try them out!  I'm happy to say that we love them.  They are so comfortable and new and clean and I've already spent too much time sitting in her room!  

Don't they look great??  I realize it looks like a ""whole lot of brown going on" in this picture but keep in mind, I have lots of accessories to add :) I am very happy with the color and the fabric.  It will be great for Ava and maybe a little brother or sister someday!  

Oh and did I mention it was comfortable??  Travis found me here when he got home from work today, just day-dreaming and relaxing :) 

So of course I made him take a picture too.  Can't you just picture him holding our sweet little Ava, wrapped up in a soft pink blanket??  That is the image I will be focusing on when I'm in the middle of labor :) 

Thanks Susan!!  They are beautiful.  

_______________________________________________________

On a totally unrelated note, thanks to all of you who are new and leaving me fun comments.  I love it when people come out of hiding and introduce themselves :) I've gotten some great emails lately and I have appreciated so many of your kind words.  I realize that baby mania has taken over this blog lately, but if I'm honest, it's also completely taken over my life!  I was telling a friend that it's felt really hard not to be very, very selfish at this stage in pregnancy.  It seems that with every day a new level of discomfort sets in and frankly it's hard not to be consumed by it.  But for everything there is a season and I know that right now I do need to give my best to Ava, for her sake.  So, soon my tales of pregnancy will be over and we'll be embarking on a whole new adventure.  But I have appreciated all the support and encouragement you have given us along the way.  You have made this journey very sweet and Travis and I are so grateful for the many, many people like you, who have prayed for us and for our daughter.  How do we repay that?  I never expected this blog to take on a life of its own, but it has and now I see how the Lord is using our story and our life to minister to some of you. Your emails always thrill me and I consider it a privilege to pray for those of you who ask me to.  

We are by no means perfect, nor have we figured it all out :)  But if there is one thing we know, it's that people matter.  Relationships are worth it.  I really have loved getting to know so many of you in blog land.  Thanks for hanging in there with me and sharing your excitement over every cushion, outfit, diaper bag and belly shot!  You guys are the best....