Alright! This is the fall post i promised last time but first this is a picture update of me at technically 14 weeks and 5 days, close enough to 15 weeks! :) (I'm feeling great!)

Now, I have thought long and hard about how to best write this entry so here goes nothing!

My absolute favorite post to write since blogging has been about my head over heals in love with fall (post). It comes every year and around this time...but my problem is that i never seem to find the right words, or when i begin to describe fall in the way i see it, well it just doesn't do justice to actually how wonderful it is! It's a true dilemma my friends. SO, today i am going to attempt to persuade you to see fall through this girl's eyes, in hopes that you will fall as hard for it as I have :). Or that you'll at least feel cozy and warm inside.

Lets do this with pictures though, because well it's more fun that way.

Fall turns out to be the best time to take a walk. The air is crisp and cool and the view can be breathtaking. (I love the crunching of leaves under my feet) Although to appreciate it you have to have the right attitude to be able to take in these beautiful displays! If you're too busy with life, you're going to be distracted and miss out so i recommend slowing down and seeing what's going on around. It won't be disappointing, and it's always been a reminder of how God brings change and although change seems to stink, it can actually be a really beautiful turnout. So you can have a great lesson from God and be able to enjoy what He's created, I love it!

Okay PLEASE buy a candle that is something like warm vanilla, brown sugar, apple pie, pumpkin pie, anything that resembles warmness. It will seriously be a blessing to walk around a home filled with pretty soothing scents. WARNING: the food ones may make you a little hungry though, sorry! You've been warned though :) I love burning candles in the fall while reading a good book curling up under a blanket. It's perfect to me. I have not been blessed with a fireplace in the last few years so this is my substitute and it's proven faithful to making me smile.

Ah, the wonderful memories fall brings back to me! For 13+ years of my life i played every fall on a soccer field. I can still smell the freshly cut grass, and remember crystal clear how my ankles felt walking off the field on a cool evening. I lived for a good saturday morning soccer game in the fall. I promise to try not to push my kids too hard to follow in this dream of mine! But really, fall is a reminder of a sport that defined me in a way and made me smile. There were great relationships formed over those years and plenty of knowledge of the game i fell in love with.

I don't own this particular sweater, but it screams fall to me. :) it looks warm and cozy huh? I love being able to snuggle up in a warm sweater to my sweetheart. Sweaters have always made me feel cute and happy, and when do you wear them? In the fall. Oh and it makes drinking coffee look so much cuter as well. Yes, it's possible to look cute while drinking coffee, throw in a few curls and warm hat and it's quite the look! It's sure to make all girls feel pretty. :)

I didn't post a picture of jeans, but it's my other favorite fall accessorie. There is nothing like a good pair of jeans during the fall season. Talk about comfortable.

I love going to pick out pumpkins. It means carving one and eating pumpkin pie! Two very fun things that i enjoy. Do you know what i mean? It's always hard to find the best pumpkin but after looking for what seems to be forever (which is half the fun) you lay your eyes on the one. Or at least one that looks good because you're really tired and it's time to go. haha

Who does not love a good campfire? I love the many gatherings around a fire during fall. It's a great evening when you're able to sit with family or friends and roast marshmallows and talk about things and laugh. Where i live it's my favorite thing to look up at the stars on these nights. I used to pray under the stars all the time in highschool, it is another great memory!

Yes! It's that time of year, football! This is the first year i am actually really into it. As i mentioned in a previous post i have two fantasy teams that i'm going to have to keep track of. I'm really excited though. Football has always been another favorite of mine during fall though. Growing up my dad watched and i loved the background noise and wearing a packer jersey. Then when i met my husband it turned into Sunday afternoons on the couch taking a nap curled up to him. It was very special...but now it's different. Like last year when Darren was away at basic training i watched alone and it made me feel close to him, yet this year i'm watching purely because i want to and enjoy it. My how things can change! haha

I love warm apple cider, hot chocolate, coffee, and all the yummy comfort foods that turn up around fall. It warms my heart and there's nothing like a huge mug of apple cider :). I am smiling huge just thinking about it!

Seriously, isn't this breathtaking? It has my God's handiwork all over it. He knew we needed beauty in this world. He knew we needed reminders of Him, so He chose to bless us with a little hint of his beautiful work. I'm thankful for this season because it becomes obvious to me how much he loves me in the starry nights, the cool wind that pushes my hair back, the smell of an apple orchard that's unlike any scent i've smelled, the time gathering with family where much love is offered, and how it's simply stunning, like him. This season is my favorite though, and i know i've not even began to see what other breathtaking views are around this world, but i'm from the Midwest and haven't traveled much. This time of year is like some peoples tropical island vacation, cabin in the woods, Europe trip, etc. This season is my vacation and i have fallen hard for it.

It's my prayer that you enjoy fall this year and soak it up! Hope you enjoyed reading, this was once again just as wonderful to right about this year as the other years! Thank you for reading :).

~Laura~

It's been another quiet day. It doesn't seem to bother me though. :)
Today I woke up and made myself breakfast potatoes and then sat quietly thinking about God and who He is. I came up with nothing new, but admired the promises He has offered to me. Like His love no matter what.
The cat has been pestering me these past few days to let her outside so we went out and i sat in the grass next to her simply enjoying the sun and laughing at her rolling around chasing butterflies. She's a wonderful cat and has been keeping me company on these quiet days.

My life has been simplified these past two months. Although there are times I long for a home of my own and more activity and friendships, I see that this time of silence is needed. I see it as a period of time that i'm allowed to rest.
Soon the sound of silence will be longed for. As well as alone time will be few and far between. So i'm learning to accept where i'm at and treasure it, to see this situation as a very fortunate one for an expecting mother.

Tonight I made dinner, shake 'n bake chicken and mashed potatoes. I love being able to spend time cooking, however the clean up is always put aside! Know what i mean? My brother and I agreed to clean the kitchen tomorrow afternoon, not that it's terribly messy but dishes don't clean themselves. After dinner my brother and I went on a 2 mile walk and had a nice time. It's nice to be able to spend time with him. He has been talking about what he wants to do after highschool since this is his senior year. It's been neat to hear his ideas and encourage him.

I watched 'I love lucy' today for about an hour. That show never ceases to crack me up. It's my favorite TV show and i have started to collect the series on DVD. I only have 4 but am thinking about treating myself to the next season :).

This afternoon i was going through my closet (i need to organize it!) and found the slide show of Darren and I's wedding. I popped it in and watched it with tears filled eyes. It was sweet to see the journey of each of us as babies then our childhood and then into the teen years and then together. The pictures were wonderful to look through but left my heart aching for Darren. I miss him so much and although we have been able to email, it does not fill that longing inside for him. Times of separation allow you to remember why you love each other.
The thought crossed my mind, why me? I finally found this man of my dreams and He will be taken away at unexpected times for long periods of times. Why did this have to happen to us? Well first response is, we chose this. :) But it runs deeper than that. We were out of option, on our last straw and this was the light at the end of the tunnel. This is the door that God stood before inviting us through. On the Journey into the military it saved our marriage and God rekindled old flames that died because of bitterness and hurt in each of us. He used an unfortunate path to bring us to Him and ultimately together walking along this life the way He intended us to be doing.
He loved us each and from ashes worked them to make the starting of a beautiful friendship and marriage. Darren and I do not have a story of two perfect people who never wronged each other. We have a story of God's grace for two sinners. Our marriage is still not perfect but i'm learning to drop false expectations and instead learn to love Darren the way God intended me to. The more time i spend with God and love him, it changes who I am and the wife i am to Darren. The wife that honors, respects, loves, helps Him.

This evening I filled out a few more pages of my pregnancy journal. It was all about the first trimester and honestly it was a happy time of realized my pregnancy has been very nice! It's been a great experience. (minus the heartburn that i'm suffering from right now :)) Today i was wearing a pair of shorts that seem to be getting tighter and tighter by the day. I am passed being sad about my body changing and now rejoicing in having to undo the top button. Although i'm in a funny stage, i feel like i ate too much and am not ready for maternity clothes yet because i don't pull of 'pregnant woman' quite yet. haha See how this is a weird stage? I bet in a month from now that will all be different! I can fit into my jeans because they were too big anyways and i had to wear a belt but it's still been way too warm to wear jeans. It's suppose to cool off however and i'm looking forward to that!
Well i should wrap this up, i'm looking forward to writing about Fall and my absolute adoration for it in my next blog :) Have a great night!
~laura

Good morning!

Ready for another week?

14 Weeks pregnant and i'm starting to notice a 'bump' :)

I wanted to share some pictures my brother took a few days back.

It has been crazy lately. It was nice to get home from Kansas, the trip was really nice and i loved seeing Ej and the girls. They're always fun to spend time with.
My sister melissa had her son Logan on Friday! She was only 2 weeks early but there were some complications and her doctor wanted to push this pregnancy along to make sure they had control over the situation. I'm thankful that everything went well and prayers were answered! My mom and I drove to Wisconsin Friday morning early and we made it in time to spend time with melissa. I won't lie i'm a little traumatized by the fact that in 6 months that will be me laying in a hospital bed being told to relax and breathe. I didn't watch the actual birth but i was in the room talking with melissa right before and watching her go through contractions seemed to make me flinch and dread being in her shoes! But when we came back in after logan was born it was awesome to see both melissa and pete completely in love with that little man. I kept wondering how Darren would react when He was holding our baby. I'm actually even more excited now after watching them and holding logan. He is adorable!

I'm hanging up my running shoes for the rest of this pregnancy. I've decided after much thought, why risk it? Doctors differ on this and it's a little bit of a debate among pregnant woman but as much as i love to run, i see the warnings far outweigh the positives. Pregnancy is not the time to train for a marathon. I enjoy walking the same as running and the important thing is to stay healthy. :)

This morning i woke up early and then made a delicious breakfast and had some decaf coffee which i learned still has caffeine in it...? I try to make wise choices when it comes to what i'm filling my mouth with because i want to be healthy and not gain more weight then what is normal during pregnancy. The problem i'm facing is that everything looks good and i'm hungry all the time now! I started my second trimester yesterday and what a difference this one has been compared to the first trimester. I have not thrown up and have had a fairly easy pregnancy this far, but i wasn't hungry in the beginning and I could hardly finish up a meal. Now it's the opposite! haha Guess it's time to be self-controlled. Wish me luck!

Church yesterday morning was really great. We talked about the church being the people and not a building and the importance of everyone realizing the authority and power we have in Christ. There was a lot more detail and good messages throughout the sermon but i found a jewel! For awhile now there's been something missing that i wasn't grasping about the christian walk. It was beginning to really bother me but Pastor A. nailed it. He explained how we are reflectors of Christ.
I am sure many of you are thinking, you didn't know that? Well i've always heard that but it didn't really sink into my heart until yesterday and i'm still today chewing up that piece of information that is so important to understand. It is almost key to realize this because it points to our purpose for being here and how to live among a decaying world. That's what Christ is asking of me daily, to reflect Him. It's a simple request but not always the easiest one to carry out because of the many distractions and even my own desires. It's my prayer today that i would focus on becoming more like Christ through the Holy Spirit who teaches and guides me.

This week my schedule is completely empty besides walking with a friend tomorrow. I realized this morning it was monday and as everyone dreads mondays, i don't have a problem with it anymore. This picture sort of shocked me! I need to find something to do with this free time! I have a hard time making commitments right now knowing i may only be around for 4 months. This is the dilemma many military wives face, even when it comes to going to church or getting a job, or volunteering. It's hard to decide if it's worth it when you'll be leaving right when you finally settled into your new home. But i believe doing something is better than nothing. I've been visiting family a lot which has been great but as this month shows no promise of anything to do, i may need to look into offering my time to a better cause than reading, walking, and eating. :)

Ready for some more fun news? I am now a fantasy football manager. Darren is unable to access his fantasy teams and asked if i wouldn't mind doing a draft. Well i knew about 5 football players and only pay attention to the Packers and Colts. Honestly, most sundays as Darren watched football i took my sunday nap cuddled up to him. Paying attention to the game? Not so much...:p
But i figured this could be something fun to do and give me an incentive to watch the games closer. I have looked forward to football this year and that's foreign to me. Maybe it's because it means it's fall? (I'm not sure) Anyhow my dad said he would help me and on the 3 hour trip back from Wisconsin he gave me a run down of fantasy football, the teams in each division, and the players worth picking. As he talked, I took a few pages of notes. I read through a few fantasy football magazines and did research on teams and players. It was actually a lot of fun! Who would have thought? It's great to have the perspective my husband does and why he enjoys watching the games and why he has too many teams. haha Anyways, yesterday evening i had my first draft and am very confident in the team i ended up having. It was fun to use my notes and refer back to one of the magazines when players I wanted were picked up. My dad was a huge help, thanks! Then the second draft i did for Darren didn't go as well but my dad again helped me out. I'm looking forward to the season starting to see how well these two teams do. I picked a few colts and packers for the pure enjoyment of cheering them on! ..AND because they're good :) My husband thinks i'm cool now haha Who would have thought i'd ever be interested in football this much?

I love my husband more and more each day. I am learning a lot about being respectful to him. To me, it's important to still talk and laugh with each other during a deployment. There is no reason you can't be great friends by the time you come back together. It comes down to how much will you will give and restrain from complaining? At least for me that's how i see it. When i restrain from saying what i want at times that will do nothing to build our relationship, it helps! Complaining about the situation has never changed the circumstances a military wife is in. You're husband is still far away and you probably feel more awful. It's a choice you have to make everyday. How am i going to choose to respond to this deployment today? It's not easy, that's not what i'm implying. But it can be done, and it will bless your husband. Honoring Darren means supporting him by my attitude towards his job and what he is doing. We both have talked about how hard this is, and it's understood. At times we will confess to having a hard day and really missing the other. But that's as far as it goes. Choosing to look at the benefits coming from this deployment is where my heart needs to be. There are many! It's a choice though, and no one can make it for you.

Maybe with all my free time this week i will be able to write more often :) Have a wonderful day! I am heading out for a walk.

~Laura

Hey!

Are you ready for a completely random post? Stay with me :)
I am in Kansas on a little vacation with my in-laws visiting darren's brother's family. Ej happens to be one of my closest friends and her two little girls are wonderful! It's been refreshing to be around family and swap stories to catch up. We've had a few coffee runs (decaff woo!) and went shopping for maternity clothes!
Today Evie (the youngest) and I watching princess movies and stayed in our jammies for a long long time! I loved snuggling and watching her crack up about the little mice in Cinderella or scold the naughty cat.

It's been nice to have Ej around to talk about pregnancy and to be encouraged as i walk through this deployment. Dave, her husband is also in the Navy and so she's been where i am now and has offered support when i need it.
Can't thank God enough for placing her in my life.

This deployment is the hardest thing i've had to face. There are good and bad days i've noticed. I miss my husband deeply and in a way that hurts to my core. Last night as i snuggled up under my covers my heart ached for Darren and i started to cry. I began to ask God to provide me with the strength to walk through this. I was reminded instantly that Jesus walked through loneliness too. Sometimes God doesn't remove you from a painful circumstance, but He keeps you there so you can learn to trust Him and show that you have Faith in Him. Do you know how comforting that is? Reminders of God's love for me is what keeps me walking ahead with hope.
When i said goodbye to Darren there were little tears and i had an understanding that this was God's plan. That doesn't take away the moments that i think of Him and feel like i'm about to fall apart. Going to sonic shouldn't make you want to start crying, but it has Darren written all over it! An old sweatshirt that smells like him shouldn't make me as happy as it does. :) I shouldn't check my phone a billion times a day in hope of an email, but I do because to hear from Him brings me close to Him. Sometimes i still think he's going to be around the corner and I'm going to hear him laughing or calling my name but i remember he's far far away. It hurts, don't you see? But God listens to all of this and covers me with endless love and I can't figure out why He loves me that much? He sends people from every which way that surround me with love. He spends time teaching me through His word about things that are beyond me. He opens my eyes to beautiful displays of Him through simple patches of wildflowers. Yes, it hurts to not be with my best friend, but God has not left me to walk this path alone.

Being pregnant has been wonderful so far! I love this baby already and even though it won't be for a long time before we meet, I can't wait! I've reached 12 weeks last sunday and am almost 13 and that's crazy. Time is certainly flying by but i'm trying to enjoy every bit of this. I went to a parenting seminar last night that they had on base (with dave and ej), it was really good but made me aware of the hard job of raising children. But you know what i've been dreaming about? Seeing this baby with it's Daddy. There is a lot of joy in having these two together because i love each of them so much. They are my dream come true. Darren is going to be an incredible father, i have no doubt about that. I'm so glad to walk through this with him.

Alright well i should get to bed, i have a feeling a small little girl will be waking me up again tomorrow, bright and early!

~Laura

What a nice day! I hope you had a great morning and are able to find some time to relax today.

I wanted to share a little of my heart with you today. It's mostly going to be about God, but maybe you'll be able to relate? Or even be as challenged as I have been this past week.

Since i was a little girl i have loved Jesus. He has been a constant never-changing thing in my life. Throughout the years I have learned new things about Him and fallen more in love, I have never doubted His existence even through pain and upsets, or learning of evolution, or wanting to please my own stubborn will, or from the many people i have come across that seem to have lists of reasons why God couldn't possibly be real. But I believe with all my heart that God is real. I believe in the Bible and that Christ saved me. This morning i heard a sermon that brought me to tears.

Pastor A. spoke about Heaven and i'm not sure at what point it hit me the hardest but i'm telling you if i could have, i would have been sobbing. Let me rewind first! This week i've been reading Romans and the first few chapters are all about the sin of this world. How sinful I am and the reality that i deserve death and separation from God. It's a painful thought to realize God can't have me without Christ. I L O V E Jesus because He did something for me that I don't deserve but because He loved me and didn't want to be separated for all of eternity. He was crucified, for M Y sins. His death allowed me to be born again in God's eyes.
So this morning we are talking about heaven (in the sermon) and my mind and heart are in awe of this great message. Then He said something and i stopped and first i thought 'oh lord! I can't wait to see you!' Then i heard pastor ask what will I have to show when i stand before God? And that's when I lost it a little. What am I doing for God? I thought 'lord i have nothing to show, i mean maybe a few things here and there but really that's hardly anything!' I was challenged today to pour out all this love God has given me to the people in my life. It's not all about me, and life is so short, i want to live each day God is giving me as a testimony of him.

The other big challenge is that I don't memorize scripture much. Lazy? I think so :) But it bothers me because there are moments that i'm struggling and I think, 'man, if i could just say a verse to help me out and have God's word right now!' So i am starting to memorize...and i'm so thankful for that! This week i am starting my second verse and it's Jesus' words. John 14:1 "Do not let your hearts be troubled, Trust in God, trust also in me." I love that verse! I love having my Savior's words in my heart to remember when I come across a rough patch or lose sight of what's important. To sharpen the mind is wise when we understand satan is serious about his work to destroy us.

I am stepping towards God everyday and as this happens i'm growing and even though it feels more like being stretched uncomfortably, I am really happy. Often I am tempted to sin but God has let something wonderful happen in my heart. I desire Him more then the desire to please myself.

Today was really nice because all the things i've been learning this week came to wrap. As well as that, also there's just been some very sweet moments between Christ and I that have made my heart swell. Today the tears keep threatening to pour out and at times i've let it happen because it's an expression of how deeply i am thankful for my God and the things He's doing in my life.

Right now my husband is on the other side of the world and I haven't been able to see him, touch him, or spend much time listening to his voice. But I am at peace because this is God's will and He is providing along the way. When i am incredibly lonely He fills me up or places a family member or friend right in my way. Sometimes they don't even realize they're being used but i am being covered by God's love through them. There is nothing easy about hugging the love of your life goodbye and driving away not knowing if this will be the last time you see each other. But you know what? God is rocking my world, and ruling my attitude. He is allowing me to see this deployment in a way i never knew possible. It's a blessing. Yes, you heard me right. My husband is doing something for his country, wife and baby that shows what an incredible man he is. He's serving and making a huge sacrifice that shows how much he loves me. This journey to the Navy was a last resort after he was laid off, but it was the exact door God was intending we walk through together. It saved our marriage and it's put God back at the center of our relationship. Also this deployment has given me the opportunity to have to show my trust in God which is allowing me to grow into a stronger woman. I have been back at home spending time with family a lot and i'm really enjoying my time! Darren is missing most of the pregnancy but maybe that's a blessing for him! haha okay just kidding, i'm not that bad! To make this short, i know that to make the choice to look at this deployment through a positive view is what God asks of me, so i'm trying my very best to do that!

Today marks 11 weeks being pregnant. The baby is the size of a fig this week :) Doesn't that sound so exciting! I'm feeling great but sometimes am really tired. It makes me feel so good when Darren will say something like, 'Laura, should you really be doing that?' I love how he cares for me. Nothing else too exciting is happening so i think we'll end here but have a wonderful Sunday!

love,

Laura

Isn't this beautiful? I love driving down a winding country road as the sun shines through the trees and makes for one amazing display! Since sin entered this world things changed, but there is still beauty all around in God's creation. I'm really thankful for that because it is a chance to recognize God's craftmanship.
I hope we aren't too busy to stop and soak up a breathtaking view, if you let your heart be still even a cornfield that goes on for miles and miles will seem like something special. In Psalm 19:1-4 David says, "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour fourth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world." There is evidence all around the world and universe of God's existence through His creation. He is being revealed through His handiwork and everyone knows about God because Nature proclaims His existence.
I would be absurd to think this all came to be by chance. I see in Nature that something great designed this and had a plan. Then i have the Bible, that is God's word that explains Salvation. What a bonus! Through the scriptures, God is revealed and my questions are answered. I see my purpose and reason for being here. I have assurance in this book how it has been preserved over time and the fact that it is God breathed. In 2 Peter 19-21 Simon Peter an apostle of Jesus says, "And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to the light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation. For prophecy never had it origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit."
I am confident in studying His word as it changes my heart and has a power to shine light in the darkest places.
I have been having the sweetest past few days! Soaking up God's word and love for me and learning a lot. Life is sweeter when you are walking with God obediently.
I'm not sure wether i am weepy because i'm pregnant or because God is melting away the cold inside my heart? Either way as i read the scripture and spend time chatting with God i am changing. I want to give more of myself so that I can have more room for God. I was reading a devotional and came across this prayer from a woman named Betty Scott Stam who was a martyr for Christ.

"Lord, I give up all my own plans and purposes, all my own desires and hopes, and accept Thy will for my life. I give myself, my life, my all utterly to Thee to be Thine forever. Fill me and seal me with Thy Holy Spirit. Use me as Thou wilt, send me where Thou wilt, work out Thy whole will in my life at any cost, now and forever"

What a prayer! This was written when she was 18, i couldn't help but tear up as i read about how her husband and her had been beheaded in China. She gave up her wants and desires and plans for God's will. I was humbled by her faith and willingness to surrender to God, and it stirred in my heart the desire to do the same.

Yesturday my friend (and her cute baby!) and I went for a long walk around town. It was really nice to do something healthy and be able to have a good talk about all sorts of fun things. Isn't it nice to have friends to walk with through life? I was sad by the thought that there are so many friends that will come and go but all i know is i'm grateful for them being in my life because they're a blessing. We need other woman to encourage, love, and teach us as we make this journey. I realize more and more the importance of friends.
I am REALLY excited because tomorrow my mom and I are going to wisconsin for a few days. We're staying with my grandparents and as i've mentioned before, I love being there! I have to credit God for really covering me with His love through family and friends. I was afraid i would sink into depression or something because Darren is gone, but you know what? I am doing good! I feel this time is much needed. I'm learning a lot and my marriage is being strengthened even though there's distance. There was a lot going on in my heart that was getting out of control and i was trying to keep it under the rug but that never really works. I'm forcing myself to take care of the ugly and bad through surrenduring to Christ. I have had to fight at some moments to choose to be obedient. I am amazed by the struggle inside to want to do bad. Inside there is this struggle to do what i want because i want to even if it ends up hurting someone, wether it's something i do or say. I'm a sinner, and a pretty bad one! The more time i spend thinking about my choices, well it is more easy to seek to do what God wants me to do. I don't want to dissapoint Him, or hurt my husband, or anyone else. I have never become more aware of consequences then now. Although it's painful to look back over some horrible things i've done, it causes me to never want to go through that again. Even though i was doing all the things i thought would fill me up, i was completely empty. I was looking to meet my needs, my way...but i intentionally passed up Christ because that meant i had come face to face with sin committed. But honestly, I missed God's love and forgot his love for me is not based on what i have done, He can look at me and offer me this relationship because of Christ's death. Everyday this is something i have to talk myself through because i feel so undeserving. I'm really excited to share about what God's doing in my heart in hopes maybe you'll be able to see how God's is able to meet you, no matter where you've been or what you've done. He is a good God and deserves all our praise.
~Laura

<3 Hello!

6 weeks and 4 days, can you see that tiny peanut looking thing?

Almost 10 weeks, and he/she looks like a baby!

And here is the sweet Daddy to be, He is so handsome!
I am lucky<3

This morning i had a doctors appointment and our baby is doing wonderful. It was a quick appointment but they did another ultra-sound so i was able to see that little cutie again! Today he/she actually looked like a baby. I even had a little wave and it was neat to see it moving around. I may have teared up?? :)

I keep taking peeks at the picture from today and smiling. I've been praying lately that God would keep Darren safe and our baby healthy. Thank you Lord for answering prayer!

This week Tuesday I went over to my in laws and we went blueberry picking and had a very yummy spaghetti dinner. Then the next morning we headed over to Dan's retirement party and that afternoon made blueberry jam. I enjoyed spending time with them.

I have been feeling very good this week, not really nauseous or having severe heartburn and then today after lunch i was so close to being sick. It is the strangest thing how one minute you are fine and then BAM! you feel like you're going to throw up. I have realized that i'm very very good at making sure i don't throw up, i couldn't tell you how i do it though.

The one thing that i have been is sleepy! For example today, (i didn't mean to!) i fell asleep for almost 3 hours! :0 can you believe that? I normally don't let myself do that but i was reading and then fell asleep.

I'm going to be traveling a lot this month (and the next two) and i'm looking forward to seeing family. Next week we are going to my sister's baby shower and we'll stay a few days. Then the next week I will be heading with Dan and Sharon to Kansas to visit Darren's brother's family. I am so excited to see Ej and the girls again. I've really missed them! Of course i wish Darren was able to be with me, but being around family makes this deployment a lot easier. It will be nice to be somewhat busy.

Christmas in July! We are watching the Polar Express tonight and now i'm in the mood for hot chocolate, Christmas songs, and snow...isn't that funny? I bet you're thinking NO WAY! Actually i am looking forward to fall which is right around the corner and this winter. I am hoping Darren will be back before the end of this year, please pray that would work out! if not it will be okay but wouldn't that be awesome? I sure think so.

I have so many insightful things i'd love to be able to share right now, but i really want you to know God is good. I am learning more about what it means to be a christian. Following Him doesn't come easy because we want to do what we want, and when we want. Sometimes it takes a good reminder that God has my best interest in mind when He corrects or disciplines. I'm realizing the importance of knowing His word and hiding it in my heart. Through reading the Bible, God is able to teach and mold. My mom once put a quote in my bible. This book will keep you from sin, and sin will keep you from this book. I am always encouraged when i see that quote written in the front of my bible. This journey is a learning process, i am not perfect and at times fall short, but God loves me and that is comforting.

Have a great night everyone!