11 Weeks 4 Days

I'm 11 weeks and 4 days pregnant! Which means I'm IN my 12th week, which means I'm ALMOST to the "teens", which means I MIGHT start feeling better in the semi-near future....maybe.

Really, I can't complain - it's just the normal exhaustion, nausea, and food aversion stuff. It does start to wear on you and I am definetly looking forward to feeling a little better! I actually had been feeling progressively better and then this week everything hit with a vengence again. What gives?!

But overall life is good...we're gearing up for this year to be pretty crazy, but exciting as well! God continues to grow us and teach us and it's pretty amazing how He's stretched us since May.

Well, I suppose I should get this towel off my head and maybe brush my teeth before Emily comes over...(you're welcome Em!)

Planet Earth & Psalms

Brent & I really like watching the Planet Earth series whenever we catch it on TV. We bought part of the dvd's but the whole set was like $200 or something! I'm always so amazed at the vastness & complexity of our world & just marvel that the God who created it all knows me by name.

This week I came across Psalms 42:1, a familiar Bible verse (and very 90's worship song haha!) but it really stood out to me in a way it hasn't before.

"As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God."

When I read it it, I began thinking about the Planet Earth episode about animal migration for water. I can't remember the exact numbers (and Google was NO help) but these caribou and other animals will travel in huge numbers for great distances for a drink of water. They walk through dangerous and difficult places with one goal in mind. They might die in pursuit of this one goal, but it's what drives them to live & move forward.

When I think of it in those terms the metaphor is so much more real to my heart. It's not Bambi surrounded by bunnies and birds sipping from a gentle stream, it's a group and a family risking everything for the one thing that will give them life. I want my desire and drive for God to be as strong as that! To be able to recognize the one thing worth living for is Him and nothing should move me from that goal.



Pursuing God

In community group this week, we were asked to rank ourselves on a scale of 1-10 in where we are in our pursuit of God, in our pursuit of holiness. That was a tough one. Not only because I'm not good at that kind of ranking or estimating stuff, but also to realize that my number was probably (definitely) not where it should or I want it to be.

I would have to say I generally reside in the middle area, dipping or rising depending on my circumstances. I can think of times where I was up at that 9-10 area, but how do you maintain a 9 in your pursuit of God!? Challenging, for sure!

When we talked about what were some practical ways we could individually and as a group encourage an increased priority and "growth spurt" in pursuing God, it was awesome to be encouraged that we are never alone in that journey. Not only is God our guide, but He has given us the church to be our support and point us towards Him.

A phrase that has been with me this week is from a book called Respectable Sins and it is talking about our relationship with God and the struggle of how can we ever be like him and less like our sinful nature? The author says we are "responsible yet dependant." This phrase encourages me because it reminds me that yes, I am responsible to seek after wisdom and intentionally follow Christ, but I can be at peace because I am also dependant on His Spirit working in and transforming my life.

That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you,

what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places,

far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.

- Ephesians 1:17-21

Goodbye 2010. Hellooooo 2011!

The new year is such a time of reflection! I always look back at the past year, the ups & downs and look ahead to the new year and imagine what will be.

2010 was a bittersweet year. Moving away from friends, but to a place and body of believers God was so clearly taking us to, was hard but so wonderful at the same time. I still feel like we're in transition and not totally "settled" here yet, but I think that's just something time will take care of. Parker turned 2 and this year has been a blast with him! He's turning into such a funny little boy! And finally God grew our faith in amazing ways last year! It's mind blowing for me to think about it, and I'm so challenged to continue growing closer to Him when I think of all He's done for us and in us!

2011 is already shaping up to be a crazy year! We are planning on moving in May when our lease is up to something with a yard. We really feel like it's a *need* with a little boy. We're also expecting baby #2 in August and with two little ones I think being able to go outside with Parker and let him run around is an absolute necessity for all our sakes! haha

Since the majority of this year I'll either be quite pregnant or adjusting to having a newborn plus a toddler, I'm not really setting "resolutions." Maybe just survive. I'm so excited for all the wonderful things our family is looking forward to this year! I want to be sure to enjoy the "now" moments and not just be looking ahead though.

Most of all I pray God continues to teach our family more about Him and His grace. Here's to a new year full of possibilities!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas from the Byrd's!!!

Overwhelmed

I can tell how overwhelmed I am by how little I feel like writing on here. It's like, my brain doesn't even know where to begin so we just avoid. (The same goes for a messy kitchen!)

I'm in this strange place of loving life and having contentment in Christ, while also wrestling with issues of disappointment. I don't know how God wants me to deal or what He's going to teach me, but I do have total peace in His wisdom and ability to perform His will.

For now I'm quietly and internally letting my heart be molded and my ideals reformed.

Psalms 31:3 Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name, lead and guide me.

Belated Birthday Re-cap

My little baby is 2!!!

When did that happen?!

Parker's birthday was the day after Thanksgiving this year. On his birthday we decorated the house with streamers and Sherif Woody pictures for him to wake up to. Then we played outside for a while and visited with his Nana, Papa, and Great Nana. It was a really sweet day, just soaking up our family and being proud of our big man!

The next day we had a little brunch birthday party for him. We had egg casserole, fruit, bagels, and coffee - plus cherry bars for singing "happy birthday." It was just family: Nana, Papa, Great Nana, Great Grandma, Aunt Emy, & Uncle Bobby. Parker got spoiled with lots of football and Toy Story goodies & he loved ALL his gifts! It was a really fun time and the perfect amount of party for a 2 year old!



I am so incredibly thankful that God has let me be Parker's mom. He is the best, sweetest thing in the whole world and he teaches me so much about myself everyday! I can't wait to see him grow and continue to see his personality develop more and more.

Mommy and Daddy love you very much buddy, and we pray we will show you God's love your whole life! You are precious to us and to Him and we thank God for you!