Super Cute Cowboy Boots & My New Tattoo

For our anniversary, Chris bought me a pedicure and henna tattoo done by a most wonderful woman at our church. So, for all of you who wanted the 9 month belly shot...there it is, in all it's glory. Debbie Torres, our henna artist had a somewhat difficult time as Haven kept moving from one side to the next...kinda hard to keep a straight line when my little squirmer isn't cooperating. My fellow Texan friend, Faerl, also came over to visit and gave me these boots for Haven. I thought they were precious.

What's Going On

I haven't posted in awhile because it feels like we're just waiting around. And waiting around. And waiting around. There's not a heck of a lot you can do when you are this pregnant. Other than beg anyone around you to massage your back. Our little Haven is due in about two weeks. I had a doctor's appointment this morning and things are progressing really well (I won't go into the technical terms here). My midwife expects her this week or next, but then, I'm not sure they really ever know so I'm trying not to count on that.

My friend, Heidi, who just had her cute little boy Isaac a month ago, threw me a baby shower this past weekend. It was super fun, and she made artichoke dip which is always a hit with me. I have pictures, but I'm not willing to share them because I look too big, swollen, and tired. So, here's a picture of Heidi and her baby. And my mom, who I think looks really cute. It's really annoying when people lose weight as you gain.

Please keep us in your prayers, most especially our little girl. We are as ready as we'll ever be. Trudy and Sophie are even preparing for her arrival by thinking that every baby item that comes through the door is theirs.

Almost There

Sigh of relief! The baby's room is almost complete. It's been alot of fun decorating it. I've probably spent way too much time contemplating all my options, but I've enjoyed it. Chris just finished painting the leaves on the tree, and I think he did a fabulous job. He's quite talented and artistic although he won't admit it.

We're about 4 1/2 weeks away from Haven's due date...not close enough if you ask me. I'm hoping she'll decide to come a week early because I'm so anxious to meet her.

Anniversary Weekend

Chris and I spent a long weekend outside of Durango in this wonderful Bed and Breakfast.

Our 4 year anniversary happens to be about two weeks before Haven is due, so in the interest of comfort and companion ability (that means so I'm not cranky), we decided to go this past weekend just in case we have an early arrival.

It was incredibly relaxing as well as beautiful and the breakfasts (the best thing about B&B's if you ask me) were yummy. Chris was able to get up at the crack of dawn, make coffee in the room, and read--this is his favorite morning routine. Mine is to lay in bed until I think it is sufficiently light out to justify getting up. Especially now when sleep is somewhat elusive. Our room was beautiful, the view was incredible, but I'd say our favorite thing was the jacuzzi tub and the heated bathroom floors. What a luxury to have your toes heated while you wait for your bath to warm up!

On our last night we found a sushi restaurant to eat at. I was slightly skeptical about sushi in Colorado, but apparently it was quite good--I ate vegetarian rolls, so I can't confirm this. Chris ordered the biggest dish of sashimi on the menu. The bowl was huge. At one point he was down to his last two pieces: a slice of salmon and a slice of octopus. There is only one meal in which he eats slower than I do, and that is when we go out for sushi. The decision over which piece should end the night in his mouth is apparently an agonizing one. I looked over at him, having already finished my meal, and saw him with a perplexed look on his face, shaking his head over which piece he should save for last. It made me laugh because I knew exactly what he was struggling over even though he hadn't told me. So, I had to take a picture.

He really is the cutest thing. I'm lucky to have spent the last four years of my life with him. Besides being one of the most helpful and loving husbands I know, he makes me laugh. And that rates pretty highly up there with me.

Baby Shower

Sunday our church blessed us with a baby shower for Haven. My wonderful friend, Sarah, was in charge of the occasion, and since Chris has expressed his fears about having a little girl (especially when all of our friends have recently had little boys), the first gift given was a shot gun for him to take aim at prospective suitors.

We were truly overwhelmed by all the gifts we received...I can't wait to dress Haven in her new outfits! She will be the best dressed baby in town. My grandma, Chris's folks, and his brother Nick and wife Jenny were all able to come this weekend as well.

We're so incredibly grateful for the friends and family that we have. Now we just have to wait about 6 more weeks for our little girl to make her debut. Unless she'd like to come a week early, and I'd be OK with that.

One Nation Under God?

I saw something interesting while I was driving today. The car in front of me had writing on the back window. Something to the effect of "Pray hard America". But the sentences that really jumped out at me were, "America sets the standard for the World. One nation under God." It got me to thinking: do we really think that we set the standard for the World? And if so, why? Because we have more might, power, and money than anyone else? But aren't those qualities worldly, ungodly ways of "setting the standard?" Certainly we have influence over the world because of our wealth and military power. If you've read your Bible even once then you probably know how much Jesus relied on those two attributes saving the World. I can't recall His making a big deal out of either of them...except to say not to rely on them to be a part of His kingdom.

I'm not into the whole America-bashing thing although I think our country certainly has problems. But do we really think that God acts because of what America does? I think He certainly acts because of what His church does---but, I would seriously question anyone who thinks this is a godly country built on godly principles. I think domination and control were more prevalent than loving thy neighbor when this country was established. How many Native Americans died based on "godly principles?" What about slavery? Some slave owners justified their usage of slaves by saying they were bringing the gospel to heathen peoples who had never heard the Good News.

I remember when I was a kid going to church and numerous adult Christians talking about how Jesus was going to come back if Bill Clinton was elected president. It seems a little absurd now; not only because He quite obviously did not return, but because it's silly to think that God moves based on American political happenings. Innocent people were, and still are, dying all over the world from civil wars and poverty and illness...and yet, Bill Clinton was going to single-handedly usher in the return of the King? I was just a kid, so maybe there was more to it than that. Perhaps it had something to do with Israel and the fear that America would no longer be a powerful ally. Surely God doesn't hang His hopes on our political leaders doing the "right" thing.

Does He?

Or maybe it was because Clinton seemed so immoral to us Christians. Thank goodness we haven't had any high profile Christians exposed for immoral behavior! I can't recall anyone mentioning Jesus return looming imminently when a member of His body is publicly redressed.

I guess I say all of this because I really hope the state of the World is not solely dictated by America's standards. It should be based on Christ's standards and frankly, I don't see those as being very prevalent in America or anywhere else for that matter. I agree with the person who felt that urgent prayer is needed, but not so that our nation can get back to it's "godly heritage," but so that we can, as a people of God not affiliated with any nation, act more like Him and bring His love and His kingdom down here.

Bird Mobile

For some strange and bizarre reason, I decided to get crafty last month and wanted to make a mobile for Haven's room. I found the idea on this blog and thought I should do it. I'm not a crafty person. Crafts make me crazy like smacking and mispronunciation (as I write that, it occurs to me that perhaps I am crazy--maybe it has nothing to do with activities that annoy me). Anyhoo, I enlisted my mom for help and since I have no sewing machine (thank goodness, that would mean I would have to justify storing one by actually using it--no thank you!). Picking out the material took me quite some time--this is why I don't do well with crafts--because normally I am not a perfectionist, anal person (no offense to all you anal rententives out there---I'm sure someone loves you). But, when I decide to do a project that is completely out of my league, some weird, dormant gene rears it's head, and I maniacally pursue it to it's end.

The sewing machine broke, it took 2 full days to sew and stuff the birds, not to mention begging Chris to drive up to Sandia Peak to get me some white tree branches, and then another 2 nights of assembling the whole contraption. In the end, I think it turned out pretty cute. It only took 3 of us a total of 5 days to finish. My mom mentioned making them and selling them to which I could only look at her with eyes of disbelief and horror. We'd never make enough money for the blood, sweat, and tears it requires to produce such a masterpiece.