Firsts!

A few firsts of note in the Barnett home. Gabriel is using the potty -at home only so far- and Elizabeth took first steps!!!! Life is crazy as I run between the potty to see if Gabriel is "done," and to Elizabeth whose cruising from furniture piece to furniture piece. It's also been a little tough cleaning up his "messes" in the bathroom as curious Elizabeth comes in poking around. Gabriel just doesn't quite have the hang of not moving after going potty. He gets so overjoyed to tell us that he's gone potty that he pops off the toilet and runs in to see us! I'm trying to make him understand that I have to come clean him up first. It's cute that he's so excited, and I'm thrilled he has a new found love for going to the potty (and eating LOADS of sugar each time he goes I might add), but it's somewhat annoying as well. Let's just say it's a good thing someone decided to put the tub beside the toilet ;).

Elizabeth isn't "walking" yet, but she is taking first steps. She isn't confident enough yet to actually walk, although she did get up to about 4 steps. It warms my heart to watch her growing up. She is such a gorgeous little thing. I love her smiles, her babbles, and her bubbly personality. She is a clingy and whiney little thing too, but that is quickly overlooked when I see her eyes light up or a smile on her face. She is starting to hold her own with Gabriel. She will yell at him, squeal when he takes something from her or pushes her, and fling her arms about to tell him to back off! I say to myself, "I can't wait for her to slug him one," but it will only be funny the first time. The next time will be accompanied by, "SHE HIT ME," more fighting, and then I'll quickly regret my statement to self. Siblings........Can't live with em'.....Can't live without em'!

In baby 3 news! No flutters yet but I've marked my calendar for the weekend of November 2nd to look out for them. At around 15-16 weeks I felt Gabriel and Elizabeth. I expect the same with this little one. I can't wait! I was thinking today that it is slightly awkward for the first trimester, and a little beyond,that you can't even tell there is a baby inside. Then -all of a sudden- the baby comes onto the scene kicking away and making momma smile =)! Change of subject matter here, but I don't crave much of anything this go round. I've noticed, however, if I skip a meal I regret it. Nauseous, tired, bloating,etc.. Don't skip a meal or eat too late! One semi craving I have had is Rocky Road Ice Cream (my favorite) with a root beer. Root beer float! I have never been a big root beer fan, but I'm liking it with baby #3. I say "semi crave" because it's not like a "get in the car now we're going to the store" craving. It's more of a "there is a root beer on the counter from the circus party, and ice cream in the freezer, so I think I'll have one" craving. I think I'll actually have one now as a reward for writing this blog. It's sitting on the counter staring at me after all ;).

One more story before root beer float time. I had to note that Elizabeth prefers dog food over my food! Miss Liz goes after the dog food as SOON as we put it down. She is like a turbo jet on a mission when the dog bowls go down. So, mommy thought she would be smart and "trick" Misa by putting HER food in a bowl (like a dog bowl), and putting it on the floor. She went right over to it, gobbled down a bite, and then SPIT it out! She didn't want HER food whether it was in a bowl or a dish, in her chair or on the floor. She no like mommy's cooking, no where and no how! I knew for certain when she started feeding the remaining food left in the bowl to Stitch... Ahh, what to do with that stubborn little Misa?!

A Day at the Circus!

We had such a great time at Gabriel and Elizabeth's birthday party! It was a circus theme complete with candy apples, popcorn, lollipops, candy, and cupcakes. The kids had fun with "Hoop the Horse," "Ducky Fishing," Face Painting, and "Can Knock Down." It was a blast watching the kids run around with painted faces. We can not wait until next year. As a matter of fact, the day after the big party Gabriel asked, "can we have another party tomorrow?" He was ready to go again! You can see why through the pictures:

13 weeks!

Busy, busy, busy explains me the past few weeks. I don't know if it is the hormones lately, the 3 year old, the 1 year old, or the constant time in the bathroom (or all of the above) that has made me nuts in recent weeks, but hearing a heart beat today made my own heart skip a few beats. Other than the sickness, not being able to breathe at night, bloating, and peeing every few minutes, I don't "feel" pregnant until I hear the heart beat. Then it is really real and exciting. The last few weeks in the first trimester have been somewhat of a tired/exhausted blur, but I feel a little energy coming back and THAT is promising. I absolutely hate feeling like I'm spinning my wheels and not getting work done, so the past few weeks have been a little hard on me. It's difficult enough cleaning up after two kids, but then add in having to nap and still make dinner, keep up with the house, and a full time job, and I feel somewhat like a crazy person. I keep telling myself second trimester will be easier. I can hope! I had gained 5 lbs but lost 2. I am, however, way more out of shape this pregnancy. The plan when I get more energy (still hoping) is to do a little exercise like walking and leg squats. It takes a whole lot of strength to have a baby and I don't want to be out of shape in the process. Speaking of which (having a baby), I looked at birth photos today and I'm super excited to go through those emotions again. To see our new baby for the first time and give him/her love! Same plan as last time except my doula and midwife think it will go super fast, so we will plan on laboring in the chapel of the hospital (still "in" the hospital just not in the bed!). Next appointment is mid November and then I hope to schedule my ultrasound! I'll be 17 weeks at my next appointment, so I should be able to schedule it within 2 weeks of that appointment (YAH). One other thing I look forward to is those flutters. I love those =)

Having Faith!

It is difficult for me not to worry about everything. I get a thought in my mind and I worry about the when, where, and why of it all. I often have to step back and force myself to relax and take a breath. This is why last weeks sermon at church resonated with me. Mark 13:7,"And when ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, be ye not troubled, for (such things) must be; but the end (shall) not (be) yet." The chapter goes on to talk about terrible things that will happen to followers of Christ before it comes to vs. 10, "and the gospel must first be published among nations." These verses just tell me that no matter the circumstances, no matter how hard things get, we are to always remain faithful, not worrisome, and always proclaiming the gospel of Christ. This is why when believers complain 24/7 it is just depressing to me. Everyone goes through hard times. Every mom goes through many of the same tribulations. Many wives go through the same complicated circumstances, so why do you complain day in and day out about things that God will take care of? Things you shouldn't worry yourself with? Little things! There are a few people that I know that truly have the right to complain, but they don't. It is amazing to me to watch my friend, Niki, who is in and out of the hospital with her son do NOTHING but praise God. THAT is a true testimony. Job was a true testimony. Paul was a true testimony. Who would praise God in the middle of a jail cell after being beaten almost to death? A man of God, that is who. So, when life circumstances are beating you up, you have to look to Christ. You have to have FAITH. Have faith that He knows what you need. He will bring you through. He has a plan! Even if things don't seem pleasant, He has a plan. Even if the plan isn't what you wanted or expected. Tribulations must come, hard times must come, wars must happen, Christians will be persecuted, but in the end Jesus Christ will come in the clouds to save us. He will come for His elect, and until then He will provide for us. So GO and preach the good news. Be positive. Obey God, listen to God, and glorify God in all things. I am going through a time in my life that only a few know about, but I have to have faith. I'm giving it to God, praying constantly, and being positive. He has a plan! Jeremiah 29:11," 11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." But this promise only comes when we obey Him. Do things HIS way, not OUR way. Nothing in life should be about "me." Romans 8:4-7," in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law, indeed it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God."So, don't set your mind on the flesh and worldly desires. Set your mind on the Spirit and you will have true peace!

The Good News: John 3:16, "16 “For God so loved the world,[a] that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life."

Because we are all sinners, Romans 3:23, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." God gave us a gift. The gift of grace through His Son, Jesus Christ, "and we are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood to be received by faith." Christ saves us through the blood He shed on the cross. All we are asked to do is recognize that we are sinners and won't get to Heaven by our works, by saying a prayer in church that never meant anything to us, or by going to church every Sunday. We are saved because we have FAITH in Christ Jesus, and repent of our sins (flee from our sins). We are saved because we have faith that Jesus bore the wrath of His Father for the sins that we committed. That a perfect lamb, a sinless man, was slain on a cross for us.The question isn't, "did Jesus live?"History says he did! The question is, "is he your savior?" Do you believe that HE died for your sins? That you are a sinner saved by grace? Or do you believe your a pretty good person that doesn't need a savior to save you from eternal death?