a youngin' a comin'

a fall tree in our yard

It's been awhile. I have somewhat been a slacker when it comes to writing. We haven't been up to anything spectacular so it seems there have been less things to write about.

I had my first experience with the dreaded jury duty. Well, I guess I didn't have to serve on the jury but I spent my morning telling these law people and other poor folks called in all about myself, who I know, what I do and so on. In the end, I guess I wasn't the sympathetic female for which they were looking. Seven other unlucky ladies and one man were chosen... seems a little fishy to me.

Davis has been having a good fall. His alma mater's football team, Mississippi State, is ranked currently #1 in the country. I think it's the first time ever. He used to play in their marching band and sat through several bad to mediocre seasons. He is excited to finally have some good recognition. Fingers crossed they can keep it up.

Ingrid managed to need another unscheduled vet visit. Somehow she cracked her dewclaw in half. She acted as though she were dying, she is a bit dramatic. I am sure it hurt though. She had to be sedated and fixed up. She is a cute and pathetic little patient.

little pink bandage for this gal

We have been in full swing with youth group. We started meeting weekly instead of bi-weekly. It has really helped build familiarity and continuity with the students. It has been an interesting challenge starting a multi-church youth group from scratch. I have never felt particularly gifted for helping in this role but we are trusting God for the fruit of this joyful yet stretching experience. We are working through Romans and have made it all the way to chapter 9.


I guess we haven't had an uneventful late summer and fall. It's been a big one for us. Late August we found out we are going to be parents. There is a young one coming in early May. We've told family and some friends. Since my 13 week appointment was yesterday, I suppose it's time we can let everyone in on our secret. I won't have updated ultra sound for another month.

9 weeks, gummy bear-like baby
(sorry it is side ways)

We are both extremely excited, scared, and thrilled to be given such a gift. I have no idea what I am supposed to be doing to prepare for such a huge life change. We are just going day by day. Depending on how I feel, some of those days are great while other ones are full of nausea and fatigue. I tend towards being an anxious busy body, so I am trying to take a step back and relax more. I am hoping these coming weeks brings a  better appetite, less nausea, and more energy to start actually preparing for this huge transition. We know our life is about to change drastically. The days of "just the two of us" (plus Ingrid) are numbered. However, I can't imagine the different kinds of trials and joys we have yet to experience. It's pretty exciting.


So, in case you want to know, I haven't had hardly any cravings except for lemonade and mustard. However, not together. Just thought I'd share that tid bit.

We are eager for advice, prayers, encouragement, wisdom, hand-me-downs...  :)

bootstraps

Life lately has been somewhat uneventful. I am fine with that. Some work, some play, some sunshine, and surprisingly a good bit of rain. It's been looking like a Georgia winter the past five days or so. I am not complaining, I am much more experienced being mobile in rain than snow.

Let's see... I woke up before work last week to check out the snow fall before heading out for the 6am work start. To my surprise, there was a herd of twenty-ish deer and moseying down the side walks. It was a pretty cool sight but also made me a little sad. Come to find out, they live in a large cemetery a couple blocks away and sometimes find their way into town. The awe and sadness dissipated a little with knowing the facts. However, in the moment I was so mesmerized I woke Davis up just in time for him to be super sleepy and miss the whole thing.

only proof of deer, tracks in the snow

Hmmm... Jenna and I had a girls date to the hair salon, I feel silly using the word salon, last week.

Tonight will be our second meeting of a nine week discipleship group through church.

Our dear friend in Fort Collins, Eric James, got engaged to a fabulous lady. We can't wait to celebrate with them in May!

I had a stupid cold for awhile. I felt fine except that my eyes constantly watered and my nose eternally dripped. I had to miss work because who wants their nurse dripping snot on a their fresh newborn? 

Saturday we had lunch with the McKinneys and Moffats to send the McKinneys off on their RV adventure. I have another friend moving in a week and a half. And then the Moffatts will leave SLC at the beginning of the summer. It seems right now everyone is leaving. It's gotten me down a bit. These people have been our family here.

Saturday night we took some of the youth group to a University of Utah basketball game. I am really very impressed and thankful for the group of students in these churches. Despite the fact I feel super insufficient for this task, I have received so much joy and encouragement through their lives already. Davis and I were thinking back on our married life and had to giggle a bit at where our lives are currently. Never ever did we foresee a life in Utah and helping start a youth group. A place we never thought twice about before and a job we never thought we were great at. God is good and sometimes humorous.

uuuuuuuuuuuutah

This coming Saturday we fly to North Carolina to visit Davis' family for a long weekend. We haven't seen them in a long time. We will get to celebrate our niece's fourth birthday while we are there. And they live near my hometown of Asheville, which also happens to be one of my most favorite places in America.




So that's the update.

Now, that I finished that I just need a minute to confess and be so very thankful.  Davis can attest that I was pretty grumpy, sour, argumentative, and selfish this weekend. Not that those things were limited to this weekend, they just seemed to be more pronounced this weekend. Y'all, I am a big time sinner. So often I expect Davis (everyone really) to read my mind and get on board with my selfish plans. I often neglect or miss opportunities to serve, encourage, love, and ultimately glorify God because I want to live for myself.

But the problem is, even if I wanted to better myself of these things, I can't. I  cannot do enough good to save ourselves. Christianity is a religion of love and grace. There is nothing I can add or do to earn our salvation. Jesus paid it all. There is no such thing as being able to pull yourself up by your bootstraps. Anything I think, do, or say that is glorifying to God is because of the Holy Spirit's work in my heart. And it's not to try to fix myself up so God will finally love me and bless me. It is because he has/does love me and has/will bless me.  Repent and believe. So simple and beautiful. Thankfully, I can't mess that up by being grumpy sour pants all weekend.

So, to end the ramblings. Here is part of a prayer the pastor gave us during discipleship groups...  I just really like it...

"Lord, you are full of compassion and gracious,

slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy;

there is always forgiveness with you!

Restore to us the joy of your salvation;

bind up that which is broken,

give light to our minds,

strength to our wills,

and rest to our souls.

Speak to each of us,

and let your word abide with us

until it has wrought in us your holy will. 

Amen"