Thankful Thursday

Here is another list. What can I tell you, when I nest, I list, so hope you aren't getting tired of them. This list consists of the things I am thankful have not happened this pregnancy. With less than 8 weeks to go, it is hitting me just how sweet the Lord has been to me during the last 32 weeks.

1. I am thankful that the 24/7 nausea ended around 20 weeks of pregnancy. I am very used to it lasting throughout the entire pregnancy with each and every one of my prior ones. So, this has been a much more enjoyable time. I do get extra tired and sleepy, but the nausea is a RARE thing.

2. I am thankful that I no longer let the fear of what people will think of me for wanting to obey the Lord by honoring Him in obedience with my womb and letting Him control our family planning. It used to be one of the things that would steal my joy and I do believe that being up on the mountain has helped me to 'be still and know that He is God'...and that to truly honor Him in this area would be to not fear what others are thinking or what they have to say. Instead, He has given me the words to speak to them and the sense of humor that I lacked previously.

3. I am thankful that I am not gaining weight at a lightning speed. I have had more control this time around and hope to keep my weight to about 20-23 pounds by the time Bella is born.

4. I am thankful for the chance to have a baby girl shower. I did not get a shower for Karizma. And when I attended my first baby girl shower several years ago and saw all the cute little outfits, I couldn't wait for that to be me someday. So, I am feeling overwhelmed and blessed that I have 3 impending showers in the works.

5. I am thankful that I can still wear my wedding bands. Now, that might change any day, but I was able to wear my wedding bands up until 37 weeks of pregnancy with my last one, so I hope this one will be the same or better.

6. I am thankful that I have had self control this pregnancy with the concerns of money. I bought only 1 pair of maternity jeans, 1 pair of shorts. Anything else I have bought was not maternity so I could wear it again after the baby arrives. Plus, I thought finding out it is a girl would make me want to go crazy...yes, I did by a few shoes and outfits, but each were on clearance on mad sales and I have stopped myself from buying anything more for Isabella the past month or more since I knew the showers were coming up soon.

7. I am SO thankful that my little guys are old enough to get the concept of a baby coming. Zack may not really get it, but to see the expectancy on Christian's constant questions of "Will you go get Isabella out today?", or Walker's talk about how he is going to help with the baby, is the sweetest thing to me. I am so looking forward to seeing each of my children with their little sister.

8. I am the most thankful for my walk with the Lord this time around. I have grown so much the last few years in the Lord and being able to truly experience the joy in fully understanding the gift that Isabella Grace is, is very indescribable. To see how God has answered prayer in ways that I most times didn't even expect, has been amazing. To realize that although I am so undeserving of this gift, but still He is entrusting me with her, is mind boggling. God had a purpose in His timing in giving us Bella. He had a purpose in giving us a little girl. I know that I speak for Tim and the kids when I say we are truly thankful.