apologies

A couple of weeks a ago I hurt one of my really good friends feelings. This really bothered me when I realized that something I had said caused the problem. So the first time I saw my buddy I told him how sorry I was that I had hurt him, that it was unintentional, that I loved him deeply, and wanted his forgiveness. I told him that I had been insensitive, and that I didn't have a problem apologizing, because I get to do it frequently and I'm practiced up. One thing he told me really made sense. He said that it wasn't so much that what I said that hurt him, but that he allowed what I said to hurt him. I thought this was quite a profound statement that showed great wisdom. Our relationship was repaired and we haven't spoke about it since.

This blog is not intended as a political, moral, or theological statement of any kind. It is simply a way for me to keep my close friends and family updated on what's going on. Most of the people that participate here know me well. They know my heart. They know my life. They know my calling. They even understand my sometimes strange sense of humor.

It has recently come to my attention that one of my blog readers and fellow church member took offense at a recent comment in a post about interesting ways to light the olympic flame. What I thought was an innocuous post; they were offended by. I really wished they would have come to me personally to speak with me about this matter, but they didn't. I had to hear about it from a third party. I try to deal with disagreements according to a few guidlines that I see in scripture.

Matthew 5:23-24 (NLT)

²³"Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, ²⁴leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.

Matthew 18:15-17 (NLT)

¹⁵"If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the fault. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back. ¹⁶But if you are unsuccessful, take one or two others with you and go back again, so that everything you say may be confirmed by two or three witnesses.

To my friend I've offended:
Obviously, I don't know who you are because you won't come to me personally, but I want to be reconciled with you. I guess this blog is the only opportunity I have. I'm going to save us both some time by not trying to convince you that your wrong, and I'm right. I'm just going to say, "I'm sorry." I'm not perfect nor do I claim to be. If you knew me better, you would realise how well I know this.

If you wish to discuss this further, or you need to lay into me a little, I encourage you to call me so I can apologize personally.

Getting some shuteye

Yeah, not happening right now.  Someone please tell me if I will  ever have a normal night of sleep again!  I fell asleep about 11 last night, late for me since I've been going to sleep about 8 lately.  I woke up for my mid sleep potty break at 2 a.m.  And then was wide awake, tossing and turning, waking Geron up, playing my handheld yahtzee game, worrying about the nursery and how we would fit everything in it, worrying about the baby and whether it would be healthy, worrying about whether I would be a good mom, til I finally realized I was supposed to be praying.  So, I started praying about all the things I was worrying about and began to feel a little more peaceful.  Then I started singing hymns to myself in my head about the power of Jesus and felt even more peaceful.  And then I realized I was supposed to be believing that God would answer my prayers and would even help me sleep, and I finally went to sleep.  I'm guessing this was around 4:45 or so.  I woke up at 6:30, from the best hour and 45 minutes sleep I've had in a while.  But someone, please tell me that I will find a time to get good sleep.  I'm the deepest sleeper I know and have ever heard of and I am NOT sleeping!!!  HELP!!!

 

 

chewie

this is a kinda funny blog. I don't know why someone would spend so much time doing this, but it is pretty amusing.


chewie's blog

DISCLAIMER: this linked site above may have questionable content that some deem offensive(dirty words) and of course I would never suggest that you follow the links contained therein.

I hope that this satisfies my anonymous friend

Can you hear me now?

I'm so excited!!! Today was the big doctor's visit--we got to hear the
baby's heartbeat!!! YEA!!! I was afraid we wouldn't get to hear it, but he
or she showed right up, beating at 164 beats a minute. WOW!!! I didn't
cry. I guess I probably laughed because it was so fast and I just didn't
know how to feel. I think Geron was a little doped up from his dentist
appointment this morning, so he didn't seem as responsive as I thought he
would be.

In a month I'll go back in for blood tests to screen for downs syndrome and
other potential defects. Whatever happens, termination is not an option.
We've been praying for a healthy baby and know that we serve a faithful God
who won't give us more than we can bare.

We should be able to find out whether baby is a boy or girl at the first of
April. I think we're going to plan to find out, but if for some reason,
little one doesn't want to show us, we may just wait until he or she is born
to know. I don't think either of us has a preference really. Sometimes I
think I'd like a girl, and other times I think I'd like a boy. As long as
the baby is healthy, it really doesn't matter. (Although, as far as
agreeing on nursery decor, it might be better if we have a girl since we
have such different ideas of what we want for a boy.)

For those of you who are wondering and haven't asked, we're not having
twins. One baby showed up on the first sonogram and one heartbeat showed up today, well, aside from mine. I think Verizon should make a new commercial of a mommy holding a phone to her belly and the daddy holding his phone saying "Can you hear me now?"

the c-word

Kindergarteners make up cuss words. Well, they don't actually make them up--they just decide that if a word is mean, its a cuss word. For instance, kids raise their hands to tattle on someone for saying the "s" word. For those of you who don't speak kindergarten, the "s" word is shutup. There's also the "d" word, and the "h" word, and oh, what was it--I think someone told me the "k" word was a bad word once. In order, these words are "Dang", "Hate", "Kiss"???? oh, and yesterday is was the "g" word, "GOSH!" (Don't tell anyone you saw these words on my blog!)

A few years ago I was talking to a five year old at church and she informed me that she knew both the "F" word and the "B" word. I thought to myself "Don't say'em! Don't say'em! Don't say'em" but I didn't get it out and she proceeded to say them--"Butt and Fart" Whoooooooooooo! I was never so happy to hear those words in my life as I was at that moment. (Kirsten, I hope those are the only f and b words you know for the rest of your life)

So, all this to bring up the subject of the day, the "C" word. This actually isn't a cuss word at all and I don't know why I spent so much time blogging about cuss words--but maybe it will all come together. Today, a mom suggested to me the "c" word: Cesarean. DUN DUN DUN I really didn't think I would have to consider such a thing. Pushing the baby out is going to be painful enough. Getting my stomache cut open?? Please don't mention it to me again. I guess I should be glad she mentioned it to me. She told me that noone said anything to her about that possibility and she ended up having to have her first baby that way. She said it was quite traumatizing as she was scared out of her mind. If the way you go through labor is hereditary, then I should be okay without one,, as my mom had no c-sections with her three babies. In fact, I hear my mom has bragging rights to having her babies VERY QUICKLY as opposed to my blessed mother-in-law who endured 37 hours of labor trying to bring Geron into the world. (With his temperament, I'm sure most of the length was purposely brought on by him. ) My friend just wanted me to know that a c-section may have to be an option and to not be too scared because it wasn't so bad afterall. She said she ended up having a c-section with the second child as well and recovered much more quickly the second time. Well, that's all well and good to know, but I'm hoping to follow in my mom's footsteps in the delivery room. Keep praying that the baby has neither of our temperaments, as I'm quite stubborn and well, you all know Geron.

By the way, not only did he take his precious time coming out, he spent two extra weeks getting ready. ( I don't know why he's so particular about being early these days.)

spring?

spring?

Today was the first really beautiful afternoon this year. I took of from work a little early, picked up Lydia, and headed to the park. Clumpies ice cream made the afternoon perfect.

Epi-what??

I work with a lady who is expecting and is due two weeks before me. The other day she asked me if I'd considered having an epidural or giving birth nature's way. She will be a second time mom, so she knows quite a bit more about all of this stuff than I do. I told her I was feeling pretty confident about having the baby without pain meds. The thought of a long needle being stuck into my spine is NOT something I want to consider. I know that sounds crazy when we look at the actual pain of having the baby. But my mom says I have always had a high tolerance for pain, so I figure, it'll be bad, but I can endure it. After I told Victoria I was going for the drug-free way, she asked how big I was when I was born. "8 pounds and 14 ounces. My sister was 8' 15"." Victoria then suggested "You might want to reconsider.

"So, at this point I am reconsidering.. She also told me to look into the lamaze classes. They'll offer more specific information than what I can read in a book. My friend Liana said the breathing tips didn't help in lamaze, but she did get a better grasp of what was going to happen in labor. Someone also mentioned to me that no amount of medication could help what's called "the ring of fire." I thought "Ring of Fire" was a song, apparently I was wrong. This is the phrase one uses when referring to the baby's head coming out of the birth canal. If you are reading this blog and have any info to offer about this term, please fill me in. I know this is all still 6 months away, but I want to know everything I can about birthin' babies,
Miss Scarlett.