That Pregnancy Glow (and other fables)

 "Pregnancy is the best thing ever!" I've heard it said. "It is magical, it is surreal, there is nothing like it!" All that may be true...but I am here to tell you, friends, that it is not the whole truth. Because while pregnancy is an amazing phenomenon of God and perhaps one of the most miraculous of feats (I mean, hello, you are literally growing a baby! I can't even grow a tomato plant!) it also holds some of the least feminine and least attractive moments that you may ever have in your entire life.

Morning sickness is a misnomer ladies. Let's call it for what it really is, shall we? The three-months-of-hell. Or, for some of my poor sisters out there, the nine-and-a-half-months-of-hell. I mean, really, morning sickness? It almost sounds cute! Just a little upset tummy to remind us of the miracle growing inside of us. No. No! It is more like a three month boat-ride on turbulent waters--with more time spent giving mouth-to-mouth to the ceramic bowl than basking in the glow of being a new mom. Also, just for fun, your favorite foods will likely be the ones that cause said never-ending-nausea. And that beautiful caffeinated beverage that kept you going each morning? The smell of it alone will send you running to spend yet some more quality time with your new bestie the Ceramic Bowl.

Now, lest you decide this pregnancy thing is not for you, take heart. For many first-time mamas it gets better from here (for the next few months). There is a lull in the storm, if you will, and the second trimester is almost blissful and euphoric. You beat the nausea and aren't yet as large as a station wagon so you can, once again, find delight in this season called pregnancy. However, heed this warning sisters--the second time around may not be so easy! As my obstetrician told me (honestly and truly, this is what she said), "Your body is saying, 'You're going to do this to me again? Screw it lady--you're on your own!'" Well that is certainly encouraging. I thought we were in this together, body, but apparently you are holding a grudge.

While those beautiful first-time mamas often have that gorgeous pregnancy glow...vibrant and full of life with a cute little baby bump to show off....bask in it first-time mamas, because each consecutive child afterwards our bodies apparently feel the need to join a contest to see how fast they can pop out our bellies (as well as various other body parts) as far as they can go. And the fun doesn't end there. Oh no...did you know that you can get a hernia in your pelvis? I did not, ladies, and frankly I would have been okay never knowing that piece of medical information. However, I had the privilege of experiencing it firsthand and while the OBs seemed to think it was no big deal (I mean, it wasn't their pelvis that was ripping out of their bodies in the middle of pregnancy, was it?) I had some google-research sympathy when I discovered that many a mama has had this very uncomfortable and sometimes painful addition to their blissful pregnancy. Good news though, in case you were wondering. The hernia goes away once baby comes out...until you get pregnant again. Then, apparently, it comes back even worse! Thanks for that epic news Doc...I will add that to my list of reasons it would be crazy to ever consider doing this again.

There are so many other fantastic experiences that may await you in the third trimester, I almost don't want to spoil the surprise. I mean, you may get hemorrhoids (very sexy), have excruciating back pain (super great when you are working or have older kids to lug around), and develop insomnia (which, I'm sure, is paired along with having to get up eighteen-million times a night to pee, all generously trying to prepare you for being up with baby once you give birth). Oh, I forgot to mention the pension for having to fart all the time. Did you used to hold it in around hubby? No more! You couldn't even if you wanted to, so don't even try. If you are not peeing as you walk, I'd say you're doing a-okay! (But, on that note, don't wait to go to the bathroom because one swift kick from baby and you will urinate right where you are standing.)

As beautiful as pregnancy is (and I do, honestly, think it is a glorious thing) I have to laugh-out-loud when I hear the inevitable, "Oh my goodness, this is going to be the best time in your whole life!". Because whoever is saying that to you is probably delusional. Unless they are a sadist who really loves to vomit and fart while simultaneously being in pain and possibly having a body that is so swollen it looks like you are allergic to being pregnant. In that case, you might want to run (waddle) away as quickly as possible. At the end of the day (or, in this case, nine-and-a-half-months) the majority of mamas will do whatever is in their power to get that baby out. And then the time comes. Baby exits womb and enters world and you hold that tiny, wet, wrinkled thing for the first time and nothing has ever been more beautiful. Or more worth it.

And despite the discomfort, the pain, the hormones (and let's not even talk about the labor), you just know that you would do it all over again.

At least...that's what I've heard. ;)

This week I am linking up with some great blogs! A Life in Balance, B Inspired Mama, My Joy-filled Life, A Mama Story, Darling Downs Diaries, & The Squishable Baby.

Children's Book Review #2: One Sentence Storybooks

 I had the privilege of reviewing One Sentence Storybooks: Bible Favorites (Nancy I. Sanders) for Tyndale Publishers this month and I was pleasantly surprised. The set of beginning-reader books comes in a cute little box that is great for storing the ten stories that come included. My two-and-a-half year old is obviously a pre-reader, but she really enjoys the simple storyline and the variety contained in these books. I like that these stories are an opportunity for my daughter to "dip her feet in the water" both in terms of reading and tasting Biblical truths.

The books are perfect for beginning readers, with each page adding one simple phrase to the previous, concluding with one full sentence. I will use my daughter's favorite book, The Sad Son (based on the story of the Prodigal son), as an example. The first page has the simple phrase: "The sad son" along with a colorful illustration. The next page adds "The sad son came back home" and so on, until the final sentence reads, "The sad son came back home to his dad for a hug."

If you are looking for theological depth, this is probably not the product for you. They are very simplified stories. However, though this threw me off at first, it turned out to be something that drew my daughter into the Biblical truths more than some of our more complex Bibles and Bible stories do. In The Sad Son my daughter grasped the concept of a repentant son coming back home to his welcoming father. She hadn't seemed to grasp that concept in other renditions we had read. The simplicity of the story drew her in, and she often talks about "the sad son getting a hug from his daddy."

Each book concludes with a Truth to Learn, Verse to Say, and Prayer to Pray that correlates with the story, as well as a bonus section that has little activities children can go back through the story to do. I love watching my little one delight in these books, and love how I can have simple yet meaningful conversations about God and His truths through the catalyst of these single-sentence stories.

I was given a copy of this collection from Tyndall House Publishers for review. All reflections and opinions are my own. 

March Goals

~More Laughing, More Praising, More Face-to-Facing, More Contentment, More Serving, More Joy~

So I have to ask...what happened to February!?! Am I the only one who felt like the whole month flew by in a blink! I mean, I know it gets gypped a couple of days but seriously, I feel like a whole two weeks are missing at least! It seems like I didn't accomplish anything at all that I had hoped to check off my list. (Now this could be in part because the whole state of Idaho should be quarantined what with how many people have had the cold and/or flu the past two months...in our house we've had the flu once and colds like four times or more in the past eight weeks! Who's sick of being sick (and having sick kiddos)? This girl!

Anyway...January was like a major win in the goals department so I guess February's lack balanced it out, haha! In January I chalkboard painted my kitchen pantry door, read a couple of books, took the littles to the aquarium and went to breakfast with my husband alone. I also cut down on sugar intake (until I got sick) and that was a great experience--one I will absolutely try again (and hopefully go through a whole month next time!)

March is now here and I was talking with Hubs last night about what our goals are this month. There is something about setting goals that gives me butterflies (and, yes, I am aware that this may be a tad nerdy). I think the anticipation of completing things I have written down gives me extra fire to get r' done. Plus, let's be honest, the post-kids brain is not always the most faithful when it comes to remembering stuff. If I don't write things down there is a 75% chance my hopes and dreams will vanish like Cinderella's gown at midnight. So lists, notebooks, and my faithful i-phone all bring a sigh of relief (and twinge of joy) to yours truly.

March Goals

Project: To do something about our garage. ANYTHING really...it is an absolute disaster. Like, when we have the garage door up I am embarrassed because it is just chaos. Plus, the Hubs would really love to have a place to work on projects--a "man cave" of sorts--and somehow I don't think buckets of barbies and craft supplies and sewing gadgets really fit in well to that man-cave picture. So I need some major organization stamina to take that project on.

Reading: I am reading a handful of books right now and want to get at least two finished. I would like to finish reading 1000 Gifts by Ann Voskamp and Pursue the Intentional Life by Jean Fleming. Also, I will be starting Beth Moore's Bible study on James called "Mercy Triumphs. I really want to keep up on the weekly studies for this one!

Something Fun w/ the Kiddos:
I want to take the littles to Planet Kid Indoor Playground for a fun-filled afternoon sometime this month. I went with a friend to a great indoor playground on base this past month, and my daughter had a BLAST and has been asking to go again. Problem is, it's on base and I am not military so unless I go with a friend, it's a no-go for us. Planet Kid is a similar indoor play-place a bit of a drive from here, so I'm hoping that will be great fun to!

Something Fun w the Hubs:
 Fun fact about me. I am a Divergent FREAK. I stinkin love the movie...and the books. (Thank you, Veronica Roth, for being born. And writing.) I am a straight-up dystopian nerd. Well the sequel, Insurgent, comes out in theaters on March 19th. So the Hubs and I will totally be going (and, might I add, it will be the FIRST movie I have seen in theaters in over two years!) Bring on the giant bowl of popcorn...and the overpriced candy! It is going to be GREAT!

Mini-Goal of the Month: 

February was a rough month attitude-wise for me. I'm sure a lot of it was lack of sleep, but I battled ungratefulness, frustration, and straight-up meanness at times throughout the month. I want March to be a u-turn from all that. I am trying to verbalize things I am thankful for throughout each day, and I want to continue this practice in March. Soaking in the moment from a long hug with the Hubs, a snuggle with my babies, or simply a quiet second to sip on some coffee--I want to memorize these moments with a thankful heart.

Recipes to Try:

1. Cauliflower Tater Tots...these look absolutely amazing! 
2. Okay, this is a little strange but I have been intrigued by Good Girl Moonshine and have been wanting to try it for a while now. (It's not alcoholic, it is a Trim, Healthy Mama recipe.)
3. This paleo Chipotle Chicken recipe that I have been meaning to try for two months and STILL haven't made! 
4. I have also been wanting to try my hand at Cauliflower-Crust Pizza for ages...here we go March, bring it on!
5. Lastly, these Granola Bars for snacking on...just hoping they aren't so good that I want to eat twelve in one sitting. That would defeat the purpose, I think. ;)

What are your goals this month???

More ~More Laughing, More Praising, More Face-to-Facing, More Contentment, More Serving, More Joy~ - See more at: http://messyfaceshappyfamilies.blogspot.com/2015/01/january-goals.html#sthash.c5N76ZGn.dpuf

~More Laughing, More Praising, More Face-to-Facing, More Contentment, More Serving, More Joy~ - See more at: http://messyfaceshappyfamilies.blogspot.com/2015/01/january-goals.html#sthash.c5N76ZGn.dpuf

~More Laughing, More Praising, More Face-to-Facing, More Contentment, More Serving, More Joy~ - See more at: http://messyfaceshappyfamilies.blogspot.com/2015/01/january-goals.html#sthash.c5N76ZGn.dpuf

~More Laughing, More Praising, More Face-to-Facing, More Contentment, More Serving, More Joy~ - See more at: http://messyfaceshappyfamilies.blogspot.com/2015/01/january-goals.html#sthash.c5N76ZGn.dpuf

~More Laughing, More Praising, More Face-to-Facing, More Contentment, More Serving, More Joy~ - See more at: http://messyfaceshappyfamilies.blogspot.com/2015/01/january-goals.html#sthash.c5N76ZGn.dpuf

~More Laughing, More Praising, More Face-to-Facing, More Contentment, More Serving, More Joy~ - See more at: http://messyfaceshappyfamilies.blogspot.com/2015/01/january-goals.html#sthash.c5N76ZGn.dpuf

Just Us: Covered with Grace

Okay, so I have kind of failed at keeping up with blogging this month. You know those months that just kind of keep giving you a left hook? Welcome to my February. I can't even say exactly what it has been...maybe a million little things. I had grand intentions to (one) blog every day and (two) post challenges for us to pursue in our marriages each week. I haven't even blogged every week, and I'm not sure if I've posted even two challenges all month! I have flat out bombed my hopes for this series!

All that (failure) got me thinking though, about how often we fall flat on our faces in our marriages. We have the best of intentions and then...well, life. I meant to keep my mouth shut but then things just started to come out. I meant to pursue my husband romantically this week but then I was just soooo tired. I meant to cook a hot meal this week but things got so busy. I meant to...and sometimes our well-meaning plans just don't quite make it to fruition. Now, I'm not saying we should make it a habit to not follow-through with our commitments--we absolutely should aspire to be men and women of our word--but there are times when we just fail.

I am not good at failing. In fact, I hate failing so much that for much of my life I wouldn't even try something that I didn't have a relatively strong belief I would succeed at. I missed out on untold opportunity because of this...and at times I catch myself living in this same mentality today. Early on in my marriage when I would fail at being the spouse I wanted to be, instead of getting up and dusting myself off I would turn tail and run. I would shut down, close my spouse out, and put up walls. I mean, I had failed. Wasn't that the only option? To quit? Thankfully, I have a spouse who lives by the words of Thomas Edison, "I have not failed 700 times. I have not failed once. I have succeeded in proving that those 700 ways [to make a lightbulb] will not work. When I have eliminated the ways that will not work, I will find the way that will work." He believes that any attempt at working on something is progress...even if it ends with us falling flat on our faces. I love this about my man! Especially because I am so not good at living it out...I have had to see it lived out through him thousands of times to begin instilling it as a habit in myself.

I guess what I'm saying is that in life, in our goals and dreams, in parenting our kids and in loving our spouses there will be times that we thoroughly botch things up. When we do we have a choice. We can either run away and distance ourselves hoping that putting up walls will solve our problems, or we can accept our failure as part of the path to perfection. There is grace in that. There is room to breathe. There is a sigh of relief that through each "proof" that a certain action or word did not build up...the next one can. Let us seek to be the spouse we want to be. Let us not give up pursuing the goal of being our best selves. And yet, let us also grab a hold of the grace to accept our shortcomings as avenues where untold growth and potential lay. Imagine the possibilities that may await our marriages and our lives if we do?