Cravings or Gluttony?

I can't believe I'm even blogging about this, because I feel so ashamed, but here goes...

So, I've been working really hard on a power point for my boss (aka dad) for a board report he is giving today (as I type in fact).  The board meeting was set to begin at noon, with the kitchen delivering food shortly before.  Noon rolled around and still no lunch.  I had just finished putting the final touches on the power point and ran down to the kitchen to find out where the lunch was. They forgot!  Fortunately, we have a Little Caesar's Pizza right down the road, offering $5 hot and ready large pizzas.  I jumped in my car (literally) and drove down there to grab a few pizzas before the meeting got underway.  During my short jot there, I realized that Matt and I applied for new life insurance and are having our blood drawn at 5pm today, which means I have to fast after 1pm.  That means I had 20 minutes to figure out what's for lunch and eat it!  I decided to grab a bag of Crazy Bread and a Diet Pepsi as a last resort.  With time limited, this seemed like the best and most efficient option.  Here's the shameful part...by the time I got the food set-up for the board, I was starving.  You know that feeling where you go from "yeah, I could eat" to "yeah, I need to eat everything in sight now!"  I retreated to my office, locked the door and dug into the Crazy Bread.  Before I knew it, I had eaten the entire package!  (Yes, it tasted heavenly, but that's besides the point.)  Now I'm wondering - could this have been a craving?  Or maybe pure, sinful gluttony?  Or maybe cravings are gluttony and we just call them cravings because it makes it sound better?  Either way, I feel ashamed of eating the whole bag - which is normally meant for 4 people.  The saddest part, I don't even feel full!

Christmas Comes Early

Take 1

Christmas came early at the Neal house - thanks to Black Friday.  Yes, I got up at 5am and went shopping in order to purchase this new video camera.  Our little girl will be arriving in January and we'd like to be able to video take her for Grandma and Grandpa Neal in Kentucky.  Plus what a better time to purchase an item that can capture the most precious moments in life than when you're expecting your first child.  So, even though this video is very lame, hopefully we'll be able to post more interesting videos of our baby girl in two months and counting!

Thanksgiving

Matt's parents arrived on Wednesday afternoon to spend a long holiday weekend with us.  We so enjoyed having them around for a few days.  Here are some pictures of Thanksgiving Day with the two families combined.

Giving Thanks

I must admit, I read Pam's blog and was inspired to also note what I'm thankful for:

1)  My Father - heavenly that is.  He sustains me, loves me, chastises me and teaches me each day!

2)  My husband - who loves me unconditionally, serves me faithfully, and is committed to being holy as God is holy.

3)  My baby girl - who reminds me of her presence often these days.  Soon, I will hold her in my arms.

4)  My family - who never cease to make me laugh, cry, and pray - and seek God whole-heartedly.

5)  My "new" family - in-laws I mean.  They treat me as their own, love us better than we could ever love them in return and follow hard after the Lord.

6)  My ministry - aka job.  I'm forever reminded that we are all poor in spirit and God has commanded us to help those that are in need.  I'm amazed that I get paid to obey Scripture.

7)  My church - who is committed to the truth of God's word, the building of the family, and reaching out to a community steeped in religion desperately in need of a relationship with God.

8)  My home - where I can rest in the provisions of my Savior.  What a blessing to have heat, a warm bed, groceries in the kitchen and clothes to wear.

9)  My babies - Booga and Bwana.  At times I hate them - their shedding hair, hyperactivity and dirty feet.  But in the end, they love me unconditionally and remind me that children can be far worse.

10)  And last, but CERTAINLY not least, My friends - who make me laugh, encourage me and remind me that life is not all about me!  Those are true friends.

So, thank God today for the blessings he has bestowed upon you - because they are many!  May you have a wonderful Thanksgiving, filled with family, friends and lots of turkey.  

As big as a...

1st Trimester

3rd Trimester

Here we are folks - in all our glory.  31 weeks.  Thank God we only have 9 to go.  My stomach is growing ever so quickly, I suppose because the baby is gaining weight rapidly during these last two months.  I can't believe how quickly time flies.  It seems like yesterday I was only a few weeks along and showing.  Now I'm close to the end and SHOWING - if you know what I mean.  So, enjoy these two photos, side by side, showing just how much your body can change in a matter of months.  

Funny Pregnant Things I'm Doing:

1)  Walking with my back arched, so as not to tip forward from the weight of my stomach.

2)  Rolling over on all fours to get off of any piece of furniture: couch, bed, rocking chair.

3)  Holding my back at the waist - I always though pregnant women did this for effect - now I know its so you don't lose your balance every 2 seconds.

4)  Talking to my stomach like the baby is talking back.  If you haven't done this, then maybe I'm crazy.  But, I feel a real bond with her right now.

5)  Taking at least 2 showers a day.  Maybe this is to make up for the days when I won't have time after she arrives.

6)  Going to the bathroom 100 times a day - and a few times at night.

7)  Eating in the middle of the night.  Who does that?

8)  Crying on the drop of a hat.  I even warn Matt sometimes.  "Um, honey, I'm going to start crying now, there's no real reason, I just feel like I need to."  Followed by his snicker.

Needless to say, we can't wait for our baby girl to join us in the world.  Daddy is getting excited to see her, hold her, and kiss her!  

A Trip to the Windy City

Today, we're taking 5 students from Calvary to visit Moody in Chicago.  It should be a fun time - visiting the city again - and helping these students find some direction for life after high school.  Other than visiting the school, we plan to eat at Giordano's Pizza, Ed DeBevic's, shopping on Michigan Avenue and hopefully a quick jot into H&M.  So, don't be too jealous. :)  We'll only be there until tomorrow night.

UPDATE: Birthing Class

Yesterday's birthing class made for a long day.  What is typically a 6-week class was crammed into 9 hours on a Saturday.  But - it went very well!  Despite being exhausted throughout the morning lecture, the videos were very helpful in somewhat preparing Matt and I for the delivery of our baby.  We went out for dinner last night and I asked him if he had learned anything in the class.  He said, "Well, I didn't realize how much I was going to need to support you during labor.  Those women on the video looked like they were in a lot of pain."  He continued by telling me that he wanted to be a good "coach" for me - to help me breathe and work through the contractions.  WHAT A RELIEF!  If nothing else, this birthing class reiterated a lot of what I already knew, but also helped my husband to see how much I need him to be my partner during labor.  So, was it a success?  Well, I would say that even though the 9-hour class could probably have been a half day and just as profitable, it was a total success in our particular marriage and birth of our baby.

Birthing Class & Frustrations

Tomorrow is our birthing class - 8am-5pm.  Yes, you heard me - ALL DAY on Saturday!  Personally, I'm excited about the chance to spend a day learning about the birth of our little girl.  I figure I've carried her for 7 months, its time to learn how to get her out!  But, Matt is less than thrilled.  He even asked me today if he "had to go."  ARE YOU KIDDING ME??  Yes, you have to go!  I told him that he was 50% of making this baby and so far has had to do 0% of the work.  Maybe I was a little harsh.  Before you decide, consider that since we conceived Matt has frequently told me that he plans to be no where near the birthing room when the baby is born.  In fact, he said I could find him in the lounge, feet propped, watching ESPN.  Oh, and he said "Tell them to come get me when she's born."  Needless to say, his comment today irritated me greatly.  Those of you that have had children or are expecting will understand how lonely it can be at times to be carrying a child.  There are days when I feel like my husband can't understand what's happening to my body and my emotions.  I figured a birthing class would be a great way for him to take some ownership of this baby and the process of bringing her into the world.  Instead, he sees it as nothing but an inconvenience.  I could say I'm mad, but mostly just hurt.  I feel like this would be the perfect opportunity for him to show his support of me - and our baby - and it has been anything but that.  I do recognize however that we could wake up tomorrow morning, go to this class and enjoy every minute of it.  Matt could supersede my (extremely low) expectations, and everything will be dandy.  So, pray that happens!  I'll update when we get home.

Cake Smashing

Ok, so the Wedding Cake Question was posted by a friend recently and I thought I'd post a picture of our cake smashing in response. If you know us, you wouldn't expect anything else.

Another Weekend Away

Matt and I went to Saginaw, Michigan this weekend for "my best friend's" wedding. Hannah and I grew up together and were best friends in elementary school. She got married yesterday. It was a beautiful wedding - with all the colors of fall. Very her. We spent the night with my cousin Angie and her family. What fun! Her 2 1/2 year old son Ty is adorable. And they are expecting a new baby in February. It was a lot of fun, but exhausting. So, I'm home today - recovering. Recovering = catching up on laundry, cleaning and groceries. Happy Sunday!