Half way there! I can't believe it!!
Yesterday was the BIG ultrasound... you know the one where they tell you the gender of the baby, if you want to know (YES PLEASE!), plus take a whole lot of measurements. Well, Baby C was being completely stubborn (wonder what parent he/she got that from? oh, both of them. ok!) and the sonographer couldn't get a look at parts or the lack of them.
I jokingly told the doctor that he needed to order another sonogram so we could find out. Turns out, there's an echogenic foci on the baby's heart. My wonderful OB isn't too concerned...said that they find this on a semi-regular basis and just wants me to have a level 2 sonogram with a perinatalogist. My appointment is today at 1:30.
After doing some research, I'm not too worried about this. The echogenic foci use to be (mid-90's) a soft marker for Downs. Currently, it's not considered a marker at all and my quad screen came back completely normal (no elevated levels for Downs, etc...).
However, I think when there's anything questionable on an ultrasound/prenatal test, your Momma Brain automatically goes into overdrive.... and it doesn't help that I read blogs that are stories of medical issues in babies, like Stellan, April, Harper, etc...
One thing I do know is God is definitely using this pregnancy to make me lean on Him and grow in my faith.
I would love your prayers/good thoughts... that everything is totally fine AND that Baby will show the goods, so this momma can start planning and decorating!!
Showing posts with label Faith. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Faith. Show all posts
Friday, April 17, 2009
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
I Double Dog Dare You
From the publisher: Unconditional love is eagerly promised at weddings, but rarely practiced in real life. As a result, romantic hopes are often replaced with disappointment in the home. But it doesn’t have to stay that way. The Love Dare is a 40-day challenge for husbands and wives to understand and practice unconditional love. Whether your marriage is hanging by a thread or healthy and strong, The Love Dare is a journey you need to take. It’s time to learn the keys to finding true intimacy and developing a dynamic marriage. Take the dare!
Lane and I started The Love Dare a few weeks ago and all I can say is WOW! It's incredible. A few of the dares we've completed:
- to not say anything negative... if you have something negative to say, you bite your tongue.
- to do something unexpected for your spouse
- to buy something for your spouse to let you know you were thinking of them that day
- to call in the middle of the business day to ask how they're doing and tell them you love them.
Friday, June 6, 2008
Just Breathe!
Whew! I finally have a chance to sit down and upload pictures from the last 2 weeks.
Monday through Thursday was Vacation Bible School at church. Initially I was the snack lady, but there were so many kiddos (what a blessing!), I ended up teaching 2nd grade with 3 other lovely ladies.
Not sure if yall know, but in college, I switched my major from fashion merchandising to teaching and then back to merchandising (because I was a stupid 20-something that thought a higher salary was more important). After graduation, I wasn't ready to move home, so I subbed in Denton for the Spring semester. I LOVED it!!! When I got the Kappa job and knew I'd start grad school, I entered a teacher certification/masters program. After the fall semester, I didn't want to stay in Pittsburgh any longer than I had to, so I decided to go the "easy" route and get my MBA. If I hadn't made that choice, I wouldn't have moved back to Dallas and met Lane.
This week I can't tell you how many people asked me if I was a teacher. When I said no, they said, "Well, you should be". What a compliment!!! I think God is telling me something. Once our last kiddo hits 4, I'll most likely start an alternative certification program and finally do what I should've done all along.
Monday through Thursday was Vacation Bible School at church. Initially I was the snack lady, but there were so many kiddos (what a blessing!), I ended up teaching 2nd grade with 3 other lovely ladies.
Not sure if yall know, but in college, I switched my major from fashion merchandising to teaching and then back to merchandising (because I was a stupid 20-something that thought a higher salary was more important). After graduation, I wasn't ready to move home, so I subbed in Denton for the Spring semester. I LOVED it!!! When I got the Kappa job and knew I'd start grad school, I entered a teacher certification/masters program. After the fall semester, I didn't want to stay in Pittsburgh any longer than I had to, so I decided to go the "easy" route and get my MBA. If I hadn't made that choice, I wouldn't have moved back to Dallas and met Lane.
This week I can't tell you how many people asked me if I was a teacher. When I said no, they said, "Well, you should be". What a compliment!!! I think God is telling me something. Once our last kiddo hits 4, I'll most likely start an alternative certification program and finally do what I should've done all along.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Amazing Songs
I wish I would've found this in time for Mother's Day. It's a great reminder of the impact we have on our children, even in the mundane, day to day "stuff".
I love this song! It reminds me of my daddy whenever I hear it and it makes me think about Payton. (After the video, Steven Curtis Chapman explains how he came to write it)
I love this song! It reminds me of my daddy whenever I hear it and it makes me think about Payton. (After the video, Steven Curtis Chapman explains how he came to write it)
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Building Cathedrals
I'm sure most of you have read this, but I love it. Hope all my favorite Mommas have a fabulous Mother's Day.
*************************
I'm invisible.
It all began to make sense, the blank stares, the lack of response, the way one of the kids will walk into the room while I'm on the phone and ask to be taken to the store. Inside I'm thinking, 'Can't you see I'm on the phone?' Obviously not. No one can see if I'm on the phone, or cooking, or sweeping the floor, or even standing on my head in the corner, because no one can see me at all. I'm invisible.
Some days I am only a pair of hands, nothing more: Can you fix this? Can you tie this? Can you open this? Some days I'm not a pair of hands; I'm not even a human being. I'm a clock to ask, 'What time is it?' I'm a satellite guide to answer, 'What number is the Disney Channel?' I'm a car to order, 'Right around 5:30, please.'
I was certain that these were the hands that once held books and the eyes that studied history and the mind that graduated, but now they had disappeared into the peanut butter, never to be seen again. She's going, she's going, she's gone!
One night, a group of us were having dinner, celebrating the return of a friend from England. Janice had just gotten back from a fabulous trip, and she was going on and on about the hotel she stayed in. I was sitting there, looking around at the others all put together so well. It was hard not to compare and feel sorry for myself as I looked down at my out-of- style dress; it was the only thing I could find that was clean. My unwashed hair was pulled up in a banana clip and I was afraid I could actually smell peanut butter in it.
I was feeling pretty pathetic, when Janice turned to me with a beautifully wrapped package, and said, 'I brought you this.' It was a book on the great cathedrals of Europe. I wasn't exactly sure why she'd given it to me until I read her inscription: 'To Charlotte, with admiration for the greatness of what you are building when no one sees.'
In the days ahead I would read - no, devour - the book. And I would discover what would become for me, four life-changing truths, after which I could pattern my work: No one can say who built the great cathedrals - we have no record of their names. These builders gave their whole lives for a work they would never see finished. They made great sacrifices and expected no credit. The passion of their building was fueled by their faith that the eyes of God saw everything.
A legendary story in the book told of a rich man who came to visit the cathedral while it was being built, and he saw a workman carving a tiny bird on the inside of a beam. He was puzzled and asked the man, 'Why are you spending so much time carving that bird into a beam that will be covered by the roof? No one will ever see it. And the workman replied, 'Because God sees.'
I closed the book, feeling the missing piece fall into place. It was almost as if I heard God whispering to me, 'I see you, Charlotte. I see the sacrifices you make every day, even when no one around you does. No act of kindness you've done, no sequin you've sewn on, no cupcake you've baked, is too small for me to notice and smile over. You are building a great cathedral, but you can't see right now what it will become.'
At times, my invisibility feels like an affliction. But it is not a disease that is erasing my life. It is the cure for the disease of my own self-centeredness. It is the antidote to my strong, stubborn pride. I keep the right perspective when I see myself as a great builder. As one of the people who show up at a job that they will never see finished, to work on something that their name will never be on. The writer of the book went so far as to say that no cathedrals could ever be built in our lifetime because there are so few people willing to sacrifice to that degree.
When I really think about it, I don't want my son to tell the friend he's bringing home from college for Thanksgiving, 'My mom gets up at 4 in the morning and bakes homemade pies, and then she hand bastes a turkey for three hours and presses all the linens for the table.' That would mean I'd built a shrine or a monument to myself. I just want him to want to come home. And then, if there is anything more to say to his friend, to add, 'You're gonna love it there.'"
*************************
I'm invisible.
It all began to make sense, the blank stares, the lack of response, the way one of the kids will walk into the room while I'm on the phone and ask to be taken to the store. Inside I'm thinking, 'Can't you see I'm on the phone?' Obviously not. No one can see if I'm on the phone, or cooking, or sweeping the floor, or even standing on my head in the corner, because no one can see me at all. I'm invisible.
Some days I am only a pair of hands, nothing more: Can you fix this? Can you tie this? Can you open this? Some days I'm not a pair of hands; I'm not even a human being. I'm a clock to ask, 'What time is it?' I'm a satellite guide to answer, 'What number is the Disney Channel?' I'm a car to order, 'Right around 5:30, please.'
I was certain that these were the hands that once held books and the eyes that studied history and the mind that graduated, but now they had disappeared into the peanut butter, never to be seen again. She's going, she's going, she's gone!
One night, a group of us were having dinner, celebrating the return of a friend from England. Janice had just gotten back from a fabulous trip, and she was going on and on about the hotel she stayed in. I was sitting there, looking around at the others all put together so well. It was hard not to compare and feel sorry for myself as I looked down at my out-of- style dress; it was the only thing I could find that was clean. My unwashed hair was pulled up in a banana clip and I was afraid I could actually smell peanut butter in it.
I was feeling pretty pathetic, when Janice turned to me with a beautifully wrapped package, and said, 'I brought you this.' It was a book on the great cathedrals of Europe. I wasn't exactly sure why she'd given it to me until I read her inscription: 'To Charlotte, with admiration for the greatness of what you are building when no one sees.'
In the days ahead I would read - no, devour - the book. And I would discover what would become for me, four life-changing truths, after which I could pattern my work: No one can say who built the great cathedrals - we have no record of their names. These builders gave their whole lives for a work they would never see finished. They made great sacrifices and expected no credit. The passion of their building was fueled by their faith that the eyes of God saw everything.
A legendary story in the book told of a rich man who came to visit the cathedral while it was being built, and he saw a workman carving a tiny bird on the inside of a beam. He was puzzled and asked the man, 'Why are you spending so much time carving that bird into a beam that will be covered by the roof? No one will ever see it. And the workman replied, 'Because God sees.'
I closed the book, feeling the missing piece fall into place. It was almost as if I heard God whispering to me, 'I see you, Charlotte. I see the sacrifices you make every day, even when no one around you does. No act of kindness you've done, no sequin you've sewn on, no cupcake you've baked, is too small for me to notice and smile over. You are building a great cathedral, but you can't see right now what it will become.'
At times, my invisibility feels like an affliction. But it is not a disease that is erasing my life. It is the cure for the disease of my own self-centeredness. It is the antidote to my strong, stubborn pride. I keep the right perspective when I see myself as a great builder. As one of the people who show up at a job that they will never see finished, to work on something that their name will never be on. The writer of the book went so far as to say that no cathedrals could ever be built in our lifetime because there are so few people willing to sacrifice to that degree.
When I really think about it, I don't want my son to tell the friend he's bringing home from college for Thanksgiving, 'My mom gets up at 4 in the morning and bakes homemade pies, and then she hand bastes a turkey for three hours and presses all the linens for the table.' That would mean I'd built a shrine or a monument to myself. I just want him to want to come home. And then, if there is anything more to say to his friend, to add, 'You're gonna love it there.'"
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Girls Weekend Recap
Last Thursday, Jenni, Melissa and I left town about 1:00 and headed to Canton. We chatted the entire way down and didn't stop until we dropped Melissa off on Saturday evening.
We stayed at Rock High Ranch... a gorgeous bed and breakfast I found by some stroke of luck. The couple that owns it is so nice and it was such a peaceful, relaxing time. It was just what I needed!
Once we unloaded the car, we poured ourselves some wine and rocked and talked. It was heaven sitting there looking out at the trees, feeling the breeze, and connecting with two of the best girls I know!
After dinner, we came back and played checkers and drank more wine.
The ranch is over 200 acres. This is what we saw looking out our front door.
Jen and me in front of the Manor House.
The only TV on the property (in the Manor House). We had no idea a tornado was coming or had hit First Monday until we started getting texts from people in Dallas.
The only TV on the property (in the Manor House). We had no idea a tornado was coming or had hit First Monday until we started getting texts from people in Dallas.
After we shopped in Canton for several hours, we headed to Pine Cove in Tyler for the Women's Retreat that our church put on.
The view from our door.
During our 1 hour of free time, we zip lined.
Now, L and I zip lined in St Lucia on our honeymoon and we were hundreds of feet in the air, but it's amazing what having a child will do to your nerves. I think we were *maybe* 35 feet up and it was super windy, but I was scared sitting there waiting to let go.
Once I let go, it was totally fine. In fact, it was almost lame ;)
Zip lining only took 20 minutes so Jen and Melissa took the paddle boat out and I sat on the dock in the rocking chair and just prayed and let my mind wonder.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Plan B....
Here is an interview with Angie and Todd Smith... a follow up of sorts from the Great Is Thy Faithfulness post. It's totally worth the 20 minutes it will take you to watch.
Smith Family Story from Matthew Singleton on Vimeo.
Weekend Getaway
Tomorrow afternoon I'm leaving for a girls weekend!!
Thursday, a few of us are staying at a bed and breakfast and then waking up on Friday to go to First Monday in Canton.
On Friday evening, we'll head to Tyler for our Women's Retreat. I can't wait for a little girl time and to see what God has in store for us!
This is the first time I've been away from Payton overnight since she was 4 weeks old. I'm getting a little sad about leaving her for 2 nights, but I know she and Lane will have so much fun and I need this time by myself to recharge my batteries.
Thursday, a few of us are staying at a bed and breakfast and then waking up on Friday to go to First Monday in Canton.
On Friday evening, we'll head to Tyler for our Women's Retreat. I can't wait for a little girl time and to see what God has in store for us!
This is the first time I've been away from Payton overnight since she was 4 weeks old. I'm getting a little sad about leaving her for 2 nights, but I know she and Lane will have so much fun and I need this time by myself to recharge my batteries.
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Great Is Thy Faithfulness
I found this blog when I visited Nester. I am completely overcome with emotion for this family. They have amazing faith in God and what He has planned for them. I think we can all take something away from their story!
I linked you to January, when the blog was started. Make sure you start at the bottom and work your way up... It's best to go in chronological order with this story. Have tissues ready...
I linked you to January, when the blog was started. Make sure you start at the bottom and work your way up... It's best to go in chronological order with this story. Have tissues ready...
Sunday, March 23, 2008
2JC
Happy Easter to 2JC!
I met Jen and Jenni in the Sunday School class we attend with our husbands. Jenni and I were pregnant at the same time* and now Jen is pregnant with baby #3!!
LC dubbed us 2JC since we're together all the time. Mom's group is Monday mornings, women's bible study on Wednesday mornings, then usually lunch after, we cook dinner for the church every Wednesday afternoon, and there's usually a lunch or dinner somewhere in between! I'm so blessed to have these girls as some of my best friends!
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*Jenni's son, Nate, is a month younger than P... we totally think they should get married, but they'll probably only end up as great friends!
I met Jen and Jenni in the Sunday School class we attend with our husbands. Jenni and I were pregnant at the same time* and now Jen is pregnant with baby #3!!
LC dubbed us 2JC since we're together all the time. Mom's group is Monday mornings, women's bible study on Wednesday mornings, then usually lunch after, we cook dinner for the church every Wednesday afternoon, and there's usually a lunch or dinner somewhere in between! I'm so blessed to have these girls as some of my best friends!
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*Jenni's son, Nate, is a month younger than P... we totally think they should get married, but they'll probably only end up as great friends!
Happy Easter!
The Easter Bunny came to see Payton this morning! She got a bubble blower, a foam puzzle, fruit puffs, a toy for her high chair, a key teether that makes tons of noise, a Little People girl, and a bunny who's feet and hands are little teethers. The bunny made tracks in the flour we left in front of her basket (a tradition in the Russell household)!
All dressed in her Strausburg outfit.. it was great to have a pants set for her since it was 40 degrees this morning!
The Chamblees ready for church
Lane and Payton at the Barn
Momma and Payton
Mom, Dad and Allie came with us to church and then had lunch. On the menu was roast, potatoes, carrots, homemade mac and cheese, deviled eggs, bread, and spring cake. This was the first time I got to use all my china!!
Payton napped for most of the meal, but woke up in time for dessert.
All dressed in her Strausburg outfit.. it was great to have a pants set for her since it was 40 degrees this morning!
The Chamblees ready for church
Lane and Payton at the Barn
Momma and Payton
Mom, Dad and Allie came with us to church and then had lunch. On the menu was roast, potatoes, carrots, homemade mac and cheese, deviled eggs, bread, and spring cake. This was the first time I got to use all my china!!
Payton napped for most of the meal, but woke up in time for dessert.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Africa
A small group at church is headed to Africa for a mission trip in April. It's really pulling at my heart and I would LOVE to go. As amazing as this opportunity would be for me, I can't help but have some reservations on how it would affect my family. Is P too young? Will she forget who I am since I'll be gone for over a week? Is this the appropriate time to spend over 3 grand on a trip that I'll take by myself? I know Lane can handle the day to day stuff while I'm gone, but who will watch P during the day? Mom and Allie are close and they could take half the time and maybe Lane's mom could come for the remainder.....
If yall could just pray for us... that a peace could come over Lane and me.... whatever the decision will be.
If yall could just pray for us... that a peace could come over Lane and me.... whatever the decision will be.
Thursday, September 13, 2007
39 weeks
Just wanted to let yall know... I was able to move my doctor's appointment up to today just so we could give Lane some notice if there was major progress.
I'm a "good 3cm" dilated and the OB said is just a waiting game at this point. She said that the best way to keep Payton in for as long as possible is to lay on my left side and drink lots of water and DON'T walk! Thank goodness my parents are here and that my mom doesn't work... otherwise I'd be going crazy.
I'm hoping to talk to Lane before he leaves for the visitation and tell him I need him to come back either very late Friday night or early Saturday morning. Just continue to keep the Chamblee family in your prayers - I think it's going to really hit them at the visitation tonight and also keep praying that I won't go into labor until Lane is able to fulfill his family obligations and then get home to us.
I'm a "good 3cm" dilated and the OB said is just a waiting game at this point. She said that the best way to keep Payton in for as long as possible is to lay on my left side and drink lots of water and DON'T walk! Thank goodness my parents are here and that my mom doesn't work... otherwise I'd be going crazy.
I'm hoping to talk to Lane before he leaves for the visitation and tell him I need him to come back either very late Friday night or early Saturday morning. Just continue to keep the Chamblee family in your prayers - I think it's going to really hit them at the visitation tonight and also keep praying that I won't go into labor until Lane is able to fulfill his family obligations and then get home to us.
Monday, August 13, 2007
Payton's room
Payton's room is finished! We decided not to paint since we're not entirely sure how much longer we'll be in this house and I had no idea what color to even paint the walls since there's so much color going on in everything else!
view from the doorway
close up of the wall hanging... my favorite part of the room... besides the rocker!
the onesie on the changing pad is embroidered in pink "Miss September"... hopefully it will fit her so she can wear it coming home from the hospital.
close up of the Pottery Barn Kids bumper Lane picked out
Payton's already overflowing closet... the sad part is she has a 6 drawer dresser that's just as full
And for fun... me today... at 34 weeks 3 days... I feel like a freaking house, but why does my belly look smaller than last week??
view from the doorway
close up of the wall hanging... my favorite part of the room... besides the rocker!
the onesie on the changing pad is embroidered in pink "Miss September"... hopefully it will fit her so she can wear it coming home from the hospital.
close up of the Pottery Barn Kids bumper Lane picked out
Payton's already overflowing closet... the sad part is she has a 6 drawer dresser that's just as full
And for fun... me today... at 34 weeks 3 days... I feel like a freaking house, but why does my belly look smaller than last week??
Monday, May 14, 2007
Prayers please!
At the last doctors appointment, the sonographer checked my amniotic fluid level and thought it was a little low. The doctor didn't seem too concerned.... I called today because stuff just doesn't feel "right" and she wants me to come in tomorrow to make sure the fluid level hasn't decreased. So far this has been a very uneventful pregnancy (a few weeks of feeling blah very early on and that was it) and I would love for it to stay that way! Just say a little prayer that everything is fine and I'm just peeing myself or something ;)
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