I've been having "braxton hicks" lately (which I normally do a few weeks before the baby is due), but they've been stronger than I remember them being... nothing consistent however.  We've also had flu in our home since the beginning of December.  It's been one strain or another.  When one child gets well, another one begins, whether it's throwing up or "donnaronna" as one of the kids calls it.  a;skdjf;asdjf;asdjf;aslkdjf;  Thankfully my husband has been home to help because I've been so sensitive to smells this pregnancy that I've been no help with clean up.  I literally throw up from the smell.  I've "escaped" the flu bug with minimal stomach pains and don't know if it's the flu or the pregnancy, but either way, I still haven't felt as good as I'd like.  It's made for a tough and exhausting last few weeks and I'm trying so hard to enjoy it because I never know when it might be my last pregnancy and I really do enjoy being pregnant, but with the stress of "life" lately on top of sickness... I just haven't been feeling good physically or emotionally.

Today, as I began to pack things for the hospital through more braxton hicks, I began to worry about the fact that we still needed diapers, nursing pads, blankets, etc.  and knew that we couldn't afford to get anything right now.  I asked the Lord to provide (as He always has) and tried not to think (or worry) about it.  Then, a few hours later as I sat on my bed overwhelmed again, my friend showed up and "stole me"...

I had no idea where we were going or what we were going to do.  My only question was, "My husband knows about this right?" 

She took me to a restaurant (that seemed weird cuz we never go to restaurants) and as we walked in, I was completely blessed as I saw my mom, grandma, and two sisters at the table (my sister-in-law and her 3 month old daughter came after us) with a "baby shower" balloon and gifts.  It was such a surprise!  And not only was the surprise wonderful, but the gifts I received were: diapers, a baby bath tub, baby bath and lotion, nuks, nail clippers, brush and comb (all of our babies have had lots of hair), box of nursing pads, 2 homemade blankets by my mom, a covering for a car seat to keep baby warm (our only vehicle doesn't have heat), a mobile (our last one that was from a few kids back was broken), DREFT baby detergent, a couple of onsies, and an adorable stuffed bunny to boot.  So much of my "worry" list taken care of by such dear and thoughtful people who didn't even know my concerns... but they didn't need to... because God is bigger than that... how could I have forgotten for one moment? 

Thank You Lord for Your goodness to me.  Thank You for caring about the "little things".  I'm so sorry for ever being anxious and I rest in knowing that You will continue to provide for our family in ways I cannot imagine.  Thank You for loving me.  I'm excited to hold this child and touch him or her... right after You finished fashioning him/her inside of me only moments before.  Thank You... thank You...

Still Seeking,
Amy