Happy Monday everyone! There is no denying that the Christmas Season IS here, and I hope that each of you are enjoying this joyous time of year with loved ones family and friends. There are only 2 days until Christmas… can you believe it? This is the calm before the storm. Before the tearing through presents, the hustle and bustle of family get-togethers, last minute shopping (for some of you), holiday travels and so much more.
Are you ready for it?
Our house is looking rather festive this year!
Okay. So that’s not really our house. It’s someone in our neighborhood. Every year he adds something new to his lawn, and puts on a light show twice a night, every night up until Christmas Eve. Complete with candy canes and Santa who comes out at the end to greet the kids.
This however, is our house.
Normally we would have lights stringing across the roof, out into the yard and so on. But, this year we decided to put up minimal decorations, both inside and out. It’s not because we aren’t in the spirit of Christmas… it’s simply because, we have a baby coming… very very soon. And to be honest, I know after the little guy arrives, the very last thing I’m going to want to do is un-decorate my house!
Now we are just *9 days* (yes, *9 days*) away from my due date; and 2014. This year zoomed by. And as I started taking my maternity leave at the end of the month, it was very hard for me to unwind and settle down from working. I started thinking about changes I want to pursue in this business; ways I want to grow; things I want to offer. (Some of which you will find out after the new year.) But, then, even more so, I began to think harder about the changes that are coming for our family. David is finally going to have a little brother. One who will torment him, and yet look up to him in ways I cant even imagine. Chris and I will have not one, but two boys running around in our house; playing, fighting, growing together. It made my heart feel so full.
I thought for sure Aric would have been here by now. David was 2 weeks early, after all. I was told by the doctors that I was progressing and “any day” I could go into labor! How exciting! I even began having some (reaallllyy far apart) contractions when Chris + I went to see the Hobbit last week. But, then it was like radio silence. And now the *real* waiting has begun. The kind of waiting you feel when you are right on the edge of a life changing moment… and you get anxious, and overwhelmed, and every day you are on the edge of your seat because you think today could be… THE DAY! … but, it hasn’t been.
I’ve been trying to “occupy my time”, I’ve been in nesting mode every day, making sure everything is ready to go. Chris is overwhelmed with how many clothes a kid can have from the Newborn stages to 12 months. He said to me, and I quote: “Hun. Aric has more clothes than you, David and myself combined. I just don’t see how that’s possible!” We have finally finished washing AND hanging up baby clothes (*pats self on back*), folding blankets, sterilizing bottles, binkies, breast pumps, and anything else the baby will have. Chris and I have worked extremely hard getting everything put together for Aric’s nursery; Chris more so than myself, as he hand built a lot of the things seen in the room.
The wood feature wall, also put up by Chris.
A few boy things; and baby quotes
Aric’s feature wall, his half door Chris assembled (so we can leave the door open, and the dogs cant get in!) and the dresser that Chris refurbished.
Baby books; and a hand-me-down crib from Aric’s big brother David.
The awesome handmade closet organizer Chris made for Aric’s closet. I’m kind of in love with it.
A closer look at baby things. And a big thank you to my dad who installed a light in the closet for us!
Truthfully, I don’t really want to go up until the 1st. I know everyone has said to me “Maybe he will be the first born of the New Year!” But, if he’s not, I don’t want to be induced. I’ve heard too many stories about inductions, and how labor can be more painful by inducing, and more complications, etc. I was becoming more frustrated, and more anxious. Until, we sat down at church on Christmas Sunday.
I sat in my seat, and squirmed and shifted as I’ve been doing the past few weeks. (Hello, giant belly, cant really get comfy in auditorium chairs at this point.) I sank in my seat and layed my head on Chris’s shoulder, and listened to our Pastor begin to continue on with our series about how Love came down on Christmas. As he continued on, he began to explain how when Jesus was born, it was in God’s perfect timing. I sank a little lower.
All the pieces had to fit perfectly, and everything had to be ready for the birth of Jesus… in God’s timing. Because God’s timing is never a “coincidence”, and it is most certainly never random.
Ugh. Okay. So, not even 5 minutes into this message and I’ve already felt a little convicted (Okay, a lot). But a huge weight was lifted off my shoulders. Just that little bit? That was enough for me to go “Okay. Okay. It’s not on my time when this baby comes. It’s on yours Lord. It’s when you say he is ready. I get it.” Do you ever have moments like that? I get them a lot. Because, well. Quite frankly I’m stubborn most of the time, and God knows that. It brought me peace, and reminded me to be anxious for nothing. (Philippians 4:6-7)
We can all get anxious and overwhelmed, but that’s when we really have to remind ourselves, to sit and bask in the calmness before the storm. With all the hustle and bustle going on, I am doing my best to sit still, be patient and relax. I hope this Christmas season, no matter what situation you are in, you will be reminded to do the same. <3
PS… need a little reminder on God’s timing? Check out this past Sunday’s message from Lifecoast Church… and Hey! If you don’t have somewhere to spend Christmas Eve, or are looking for a place to go – come celebrate with us! 6pm at Matanzas High School… It is gonna be AH-MAZING!
View the video here —- > http://vimeo.com/82511359
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