Still Here

I did not fall off the face of the earth although it may have seemed that way. lol

I was busy having a fabulous trip with family up north. So fun! They threw me an amazing baby shower and all around we just had a great time catching up and enjoying one another's company.

Now I'm settling down in Cedar Hill, TX [a suburb of Dallas] with my hubby - finally! Things are progressing nicely and the Lord is SO faithful it's just mind blowing!

I'll post more later but I just wanted to touch base - 31 weeks pregnant, not too much longer to go now! =]

Blessings to you,

Chinese Gender Predictor

This morning had my 26 week visit to the midwife - she said everything looks great, and I seem to be having a very normal pregnancy - WAHOO!!!

I did get my blood drawn for my glucose tolerance test and will find out tomorrow or Monday if I passed - hehe It's important that I have good results so that I can have our precious little one at the birthing center like I've dreamed. =]

Baby's heartbeat was in the 150's midwife said that her guess based on that - is it's a girl. Which brings me to todays blog focus - the "chinese gender chart" complete hoax or is there some truth to it...

I've been wondering just for the fun of it how many people actually look at the chinese gender predictor when they are pregnant - and just HOW accurate it really is. For fun I have posted the link below and want you to tell me if it's accurate or not in your case...

http://www.thebump.com/calculators/ChineseGenderChart.aspx

It is said to have over a 90% accuracy rate! lol
All you need to know is your age at conception and what month you conceived in!

Can't wait to get the feedback - I see it as a fun part in the game of not knowing what we are having, how fun all the speculating is. ;]

Blessings,

Pregnancy Brain

A few weeks ago I went to put my toaster away - I opened up my fridge and there was no room for this big object in my hand and I was trying to figure out what needed to move so there would be room when I realized that it was in fact my toaster in my hand and it DID NOT belong in the fridge. - that is probably by far my favorite pregnancy brain moment so far.

There have been other smaller things but not nearly as funny - today we are 25 weeks pregnant. It's funny how that first trimester seriously dragged on and on and now the second trimester is almost over within the the blink of an eye.

Staying with my Rents although a huge blessing sometimes is stressful simply for the fact that today for instance I woke up thinking about organizing the baby's room and remembered that the baby's room is in Texas while I am still in Florida.

I get concerned with how much there will be left to do when I get there - and how little time will be left before our Baby's Grand Aquatic Debut, and I have to just take a breath and realize that it all WILL get done. When it comes to projects like this - they rarely take me a long time b/c of my excitment and need to finish. If I were there now - I would have nothing to organize really since we have no furniture yet...and so I would probably feel more helpless being there. God knows what He's doing in ALL circumstances as uncomfortable as it seems at times.

So I guess that's it for now - tomorrow I seriously NEED to do some crafting so hopefully there will be some items adding to my etsy shop by the end of the day. Don't forget to stop by and show me some love.

Have a Happy Tuesday everyone!
Blessings,

Floodgates of Heaven

So a ton of GREAT things are going on - I'm just overflowing with excitement!


First off - we were told originally that some money would be taken out of our deposit for the blinds that were broken in our apartment - and I found out last week that b/c of how clean it was they decided to give us our WHOLE deposit back!!! WAHOOO!!!!



Then Nate called Geico to transfer our insurance over to Texas - and b/c of that it turns out we've overpaid and now for the rest of the year we only owe somewhere around $100 so a $4 bill in October and 2 $50 bills and we are good for the year!! WHAD up!


Then he calls the Electric company to find out what sort of deposit we need - NO DEPOSIT!!! Praise God!



Oh wait - there's more! We are going over the budget and figuring out how much my plane ticket up north is going to cost with taxes and the tickets that have been $80 the last week that I've been looking at them were $20 yesterday!!! So with taxes it was $43 for my ticket!!!


And there's more! Nate is moving into our new place this weekend, which is a praise report in itself - but he didn't have anything to sleep on - his parents called last night and said they are sending us an air mattress as a house warming present!!! Praise God!!!


Every need fullfilled - and I give God ALL of the glory. I'm grateful that He gives us our needs and not our wants...b/c who knows where I would be if He gave into my every whim. What a love that is beyond words. I'm truly blessed, He is opening up the floodgates of Heaven and pouring out on us, for what we've sown - OH, I love this part of the process!

Here is me at 23 weeks - Baby Papaya Bernock


This is the last picture of me in my 5th month - tomorrow marks the 6 month mark!! Wowzer - and there is SO much left for us to do!!! But I'm thrilled and just so ready. My Sister In Law sent us some baby clothes and a stuffed giraffe with a rattle in the butt...oh it was so cute. I thought it was funny that the first thing I wanted to do was wash them and hang them up...and then I could see a picture in my head of my husband asking me what I was doing - as I washed them yet again and again - b/c
IWANT THEMFRESH FORWHEN THE BABY IS HERE!!! lol

So anyway - busy craftin away - I'm going to be adding new products by the end of the week so keep your eyes out for an announcement.

Leave me some comment love and I'll be sure to return the favor!

Bloggin - Sellin - Bakin

So - where to begin? I'm almost 6 months pregnant Wowzer! time flies and then crawls at the same time. lol

My hubby is in Texas, and has been getting his socks blessed off by our new church. I love it when Christ followers actually step up to the plate when someone is in need - I would like to consider myself someone who steps to the plate and we now have a family of people that do as well. =] ::happy sigh::

God does have a way of working it all out, doesn't HE? I wish I didn't doubt Him so much - but I'm getting there, life is all about the process, I keep reminding myself. ;]

So we are stashing our pennies away for the sum needed to get that moving truck to get all our stuff out there. Meanwhile I'm chillin with my Rents and have a lot of free time! So far I've read 5 books out the Love Comes Softly Series by Janette Oke, in a week. haha And after some chatting with my hubby have opened up an Etsy shop online to sell some things. Currently I have some pictures up for sale [mat included] and my first set of earrings!

I've always wanted to have my own business and sell things from home - I think it pairs up perfectly with being a stay at home mom and worship leader. So now I'm just starting with little projects and hoping I can sell some things and keep it going! I have a "trial" period of this...a certain time period and if I don't sell anything then I have to get a part time job - so if you have a minute and some money to invest in a dreamer stop on by my shop and show me some support ;] Here's the link: http://www.etsy.com/shop/soaringonwings

Thought I would share some Baby things that I just adore...

This would read of course "a Nate and Sarah production" I love this b/c of how much we love movies and just how cute it is - I don't think you can argue with that. ;]

This is a baby anklet, it's a Cambodian custom I guess...but I think it's awesome. When they start crawling you hear the little jingle every time they move - they have Mommy and Me sets and I SO want one if we have a girl - think they are so dainty and pretty and definitely something to be cherished years to come.

I finally found a pack n' play that I really like - it has hanging stars! Nate and I LOVE stars, and there was a matching swing so although it doesn't go with my living room like I had hoped I'm still very pleased that I found something pretty simple and cute.

AND the biggest thing baby wise that we decided, is that we are going the cloth diaper route. I'm super excited about it - I found a decently priced diaper cleaning service in the area we are moving and couldn't be more thrilled. The picture here is the diaper we chose it's the new Flip diaper by Bumgenius [I just love all the cute names they have for cloth diaper companies] I love it b/c they have disposable inserts for when I'm out and about I don't have to worry about toting along poopy diapers. lol I definitely am sold on the fact that it really is a great investment - especially in the long run with many babies to come! =]

So I suppose that's enough for now just wanted to share in some of my excitement - I can't wait to have stuff in our new home and start setting up the nursery with all the baby things...awwww... My shower is coming up in September and I'm just busting at the seams with excitement! =]

Blessings to you all,

All Things July

And so things go crazy - they bend and sway twirl around me endlessly and I find myself exhausted just from thinking some days.

Today unfortuantely is no exeption.

My love left for Dallas on the 4th of July, so it's been three weeks. What a new experience, the longest we've been apart since we've been married. I'm proud of myself most days at how well I handle and then I turn around and just lose it all. lol I honestly think that just all the uncertainty in our situation is just getting to me - have to be moved out by the end of the week and I'm moving in with the Rents, putting all our stuff that makes a home feel like mine gets to hold residence at Uncle Bob's Storage down the road for a few weeks, while we pray that Nate sells more cars and makes the money needed to move us into our new home and come pick me our kitties and belongings all up and take us there.

Before he left on the 4th we visit Ryan and Katie Gracie and their newest addition Noah who was born on July 1st! Oh this little guy was my buddy for the afternoon - I was addicted to holding him, completely smitten and SO ready for the day [that's approaching quickly] that I won't have to give him/her back because it will be my VERY OWN!!! It felt more natural holding a baby had ever felt, and I've held quite a few babies - He was so tiny and soft and perfectly content just being held...oh it was lovely. Here is a picture of us...


So anyway being apart from Nate has been something I was kind of glad we were able to do - I mean it totally sucks being apart don't get me wrong, but with our hoping of him still joining the army, being apart is just going to be part of the gig and I wanted to know how well we would handle it. I find it hardest when I talk to him or see him - which means or at least I'm hoping it means that when he if off at Basic Training it's not going to be so bad. Very limited contact if any...and it will be about as long as we are going right now...I'm glad that I'm passing the test - most days.

So onto Baby News...everyone either thinks I'm having twins or that "that's gonna be a big baby!" I don't mind, big strong healthy baby - yep sign me up. ;] Two of them - even better. I want what the Lord knows I can handle. The second trimest is proving to be WAY better - sickness has subsided for the most part - I get bigger spurts of energy most days - but am exhausted a LOT. I have another apt tomorrow - hearing that heartbeat is always such a relaxing moment - everything is okay! and then there is a sigh and relief that surprises me sometimes and yet I'm expecting it tomorrow and welcoming, I've been so stressed and I know how bad that is for little Baby Bernock - trying to find peace but with hormones raging like mine oh is it hard to find peace. I feel awesome and great and then the tiniest thing puts me into tears that on the one hand just feel so good...but then I feel plain ridiculous for crying yet again...I really am trying to not be so hard on myself...never really been good at that. bummer.

So here is the recent belly pic - it's funny how you sometimes don't see your growth and then you put on a pre-pregnancy shirt like the one below and can barely get it buttoned...let's just say this one will be retired till after our little bundle arrives!


21 weeks - Baby Banana Bernock

So I suppose that's all for now...I will have to post pictures from our Eclipse adventure another day...I really want to stay up to date with my blogging, maybe I'll post some of things we've picked out and put on our registry...what a crazy that whole ordeal is!

Well until then - be blessed dear friends,

Summer Onion Fun

17 weeks - Baby Bernock Onion

That bump is showing quite nicely...in some outfits more than others. =]

Had my first class at the birthing center last night "Healthy Pregnancy" was the title - just things to stay away from, what your body does as it grows and so on...a lot of good information - some cooky perspectives, and some peace.

One of the big things is - since I've been pregnant I'm the MOST comfortable sleeping on my back...I've heard this bad for you to do because it can cut off the blood flow to your baby. Well apparently although this is the case - for normal people [like myself, lol] if your body is not getting the blood flow it needs it will wake you up so that you roll over - the same happens with your baby, if he/she needs more blood flow your body will wake you up! Praise God!!!

Chelle gets in next week - SO pumped for her visit. We all got shirts to wear to the Midnite show of Eclipse on the IMAX!!! It's going to be epic for sure! Then after her visit one more week of work until our move and our anniversary.

Nate actually sold a car to someone who works at the Sheraton Riverwalk hotel in Tampa...and she comped us a room for two nights for the occasion. SO amazing since every last penny is going to the move. Praying that God will come through with some more pennies if you know what I mean - but He is certainly faithful and good. Nate got his transfer to the store he wanted which is a praise report and now we are just trying to get approved at the place we are hoping to live - with bad credit this makes the situation look tough but my God is bigger than any situation! He will provide I'm sure of it.

Other than that just resting and packing and spending time with my Popa before I leave.

Hope you are all enjoying your summer!

Blessings to you,

In Other News...

15 Weeks - Baby Naval Orange.

Yesterday we heard that precious baby heartbeat again - oh it was lovely. Louder than last time and just wonderful. =]
The midwife said based on the heartbeat she would guess it's a boy.
We've decided to officially wait to find out what we are having though - to add even more to the experience, since Nate will be "catching" the baby he will also be able to announce what it is and just the thought of that melts my heart...God is so amazing in the way that he creates life and expands family. ::happy sigh::


In other news - WE ARE MOVING! Yep you read that right - we are moving back to Dallas, TX. We have friends there anxiously awaiting our arrival. But there is a reason for the move other than friends. 5 years ago God told me to go to CFNI and I knew based on things He had told me before that I was to pursue worship ministry. I didn't. and I didn't even finish. So fast forward through - meeting the man of my dreams - dropping out of school - becoming bitter with the school - a year or so of partying and running from God - a year or so of healing...and now we are at my church two Sundays ago with guest worship leaders. I've already been accepted into a Photography Program for a completely different school and am working out the remaining kinks of financial aid and I have this AMAZING heart warming/breaking worship service and I realize how empty I actually feel...how far I've gotten from what I know my purpose is...and I start realizing how much I've sold out, settled yet again and how much time I've wasted. But I also realize [with the help of my husband] that all hope has not been lost. And I just simply asked him in all seriousness - how do I stop coming back to the realization that I need to do something with music? How do I stop having these light bulb moments of clarity and then forget them a week later? And he said funny you should say that b/c I was just talking with one my friends about this and he was saying that you know when you feel lost in life in any way go back to the last thing God told you to do - did you finish it? and it all became SO clear to me. I felt as certain as I did when I went there in the first place, and Nathan felt the same so after a week of research and heavy duty prayer - we are going.

Are all the details worked out? Yep. Do I know all the details? Nope. But I'm amazed at the peace I have. For one we found a place that's not an apartment that has an extra bedroom and bathroom from what we have now AND a washer and dryer for the same rent. Our friends have already talked about how they can help us move and are ranting and raving about their church. Nate is chatting with his bosses about transferring - which we are believing is all going to work. But we just aren't worried.
Oh and I found a GORGEOUS birth center there too - I'm head over heels.

Although I'll miss my family - even the presence of family does not fill the void that not following and fulfilling your purpose leaves in you. So that's what's new with us!

Thanks for the prayers as we embark on this new exciting adventerous new season of life!
Blessings to you all,

Sunday May 30th 13 weeks [almost 14] - our little Baby Peach Bernock is growing so fast!

So our trip to Arizona was nothing short of AMAZING! Neither one of us had ever been and we were able to see SO much while we were there - busy busy busy but SO worth the exhaustion when we got home. =] This picture is all of us on top of South Mountain...not the very top but topish lol We were climbing around on rocks and having a blast!

We saw Tempe, Scottsdale, West Gate, The Mystery Castle, lots of card playing, oogling at baby things, visited their church which we really liked. It was just really great - drama free and hopefully the first of many lovely visits. Sharing such great memories really does amazing things for the walls of misconceptions to be overcome. Praise God for His goodness!

So other than that - I'm now 13 weeks pregnant! Our baby is the size of a peach! How amazing it is how fast they grow, that's something I'm sure I will be saying the rest of my life. I've been trying to enjoy pregnancy as much as possible, but I've been pretty sick. However the end of that is in sight! I had my first appointment with my midwife last week - we heard the heartbeat! What an amazing moment, I wish I had good pictures...but alas I do not I might post some of the bad ones...but that will take some convincing. lol Anyway - the midwife said that in a couple of weeks if I'm still getting sick and feeling like crap they'll get me a script for something so either it will go away on its own or I'll make it go away! =] I want to feel better.

We started planning the nursery, my mom is in full swing shower planning so most days things are just baby baby baby around here. BUT also I've applied for school! I've been accepted and all my financial aid papers are in accept for one and so I'm awaiting approval and with God's favor I will start July 11th attending the Art Institute of Pitsburg [Online Division] although all my classes are online it is a fully accredited program and will not read that it was online on my diploma. It's a Bachelors Program for Photography and I'm just beyond thrilled. There are so many things I want to do with my life and I can only do SO many things if I start with one. My brother has found some people to write me music - and I've found an online school that I work at my own pace for the most part - making it possible to finish with a baby - or wherever I am in the world!

I'm also seriously considering joining a business that I can run from home and do as much and or as little as I want with that - I'll share more about that later.

But there is just so much going on in a good way. This is my last month at work ending with my visit from my bestest friend Michelle - who will arrive within hours of the Eclipse debut! This year seems to be a crazy one - but surely an exciting one FILLED to the brim with adventure which I've always loved for my life to be - adventurous.

Blessings to you all,

Come Fly With Me...

So things have been progressing nicely - it's crazy how much anticipation you get for midwife appointments. How much concern rises up in you! Am I making this up in my head? Is the baby okay? The list really goes on and on...but my Nathan is helping me stay sane for the most part.

Holding my hair back for me while I hurl and grabbing me water and banana Popsicles whenever I need them. He is so sweet.

At work we are back to normal NOT tax season hours. What a relief, we were both just so tired and missing each other. It sucks seeing one another and yet having no time together. So things should be getting better, and I'm able to get more sleep since I'm back to part time! WAHOO!

For the first time like ever I'm already mostly packed up and ready to go for our trip tomorrow - we are going to Arizona!! To visit the BRents [Nate's folks] it will be fun since we've a] never seen their house b] never been to AZ and, c] never visited them without a reason - first time I was meeting them for the first time and we had a wedding to attend after that were the shower visits, the wedding, two funerals, our nephew's christening...that was actually the last time we flew anywhere so we are excited to be in a big metal bird again too! So fun on so many levels. =]

It's fun getting ready for baby - dreaming of what the nursery will look like and like I mentioned last post how it will feel to have that precious bundle in my arms and call it mine. ::happy sigh:: I think I might just burst when it happens because just thinking about it is SO overwhelming, in a good way of course. =]

My Mum is all excited and already talking with my aunts about my shower. I actually had the idea for the theme...lol I love planning parties. But it's going to be a Willy Wonka theme! It's going to be so much fun, my Mum has been showing me some of the ideas she found online and I just can't wait it's going to be a blast! I must say I've even more excited to see my family, some of which I haven't seen since my wedding or even before that - at my bridal shower. I've really been missing family lately. =[ Gotta love all those hormones, I mean I thought I was emotional before....yeah I'm hoping everything calms down a bit for the second trimester - which is in sight Praise God! only a few more weeks WAHOO!!!

Other than baby stuff, working, and our trip nothing really new going on. I'll fill you in on the trip when I return, have a blessed weekend!

Expecting

Yep that's right....We're Having a Baby!

Lots of time, lots of back and forth, indecision, doubts, certainties....and so on and the time has come!

It's funny how things work, last post I was telling you how Nate was working on losing weight to join the army, I was thinking about going back to school, recording, maybe starting a home based business...we were on a different track and getting comfortable with the fact that maybe kids were a couple years off yet.

Then some lovin' and some gas pain later and we find out we are pregnant! Wowzer!
Really throws you for a loop, I figure it's God's way of letting us know, we have to rely on Him, we aren't going to always have a nice neat plan for our lives, the house will sometimes be messy, and things are just gonna turn out differently than what you may have pictured, it's about going along for the ride and trusting in Him. ::deep breath::

So details details....

I'm 8 weeks.
Due date is November 30th 2010
Currently, I do NOT want to find out what we are having and Nate was wanting to...but maybe wavering. Who knows when the time comes, I'll probably have convinced him to NOT find out and he will have convinced me TO find out.
I found a nice birthing center about 6-7 minutes away from house where I can have a water birth as long as everything is low risk - which I'm praying and believing for.
I'm throwing up about once a day - the days that I don't I almost wish I just would rather than running to the toilet and dry heaving...tmi - so sorry.
I've already bought two pairs of maternity pants, not necessarily b/c I'm showing but b/c I'm so bloated none of my pants are fitting me anymore. :o]
I'm not able to eat much b/c NOTHING really sounds good, some things that have sounded good for brief moments have been: cucumbers, frozen yogurt, pancakes, chicken flavored rice, watermelon, cantelope, carrots, broccoli - you see this may seem like a lot but I eat a little bit of it and it starts feeling gross....it really sucks I have heartburn b/c I'm so hungry and water is beginning to even taste gross. And although it's miserable feeling so crummy pretty much 24/7 [except for some brief windows of time God gives me to help me stay sane] I just cuddle up with my amazing body pillow, keep taking my vitamins and then I close my eyes and imagine a soft baby in my arms that has Nathan's beautiful eyes and curvy top lip, my button like nose and cute stubby toes and such a joy overwhelms me, such a eagerness for fall to come, and yet a willingness to wait it out so we can both be healthy. What a stunning array of emotions, excitment, sometimes a little worry leaks in but is quickly pushed out, I just can't believe it's happening...to us, right now, it's not dreaming anymore it's reality and a lot of the time it doesn't feel like it. How amazing God is. =]

So anyway, Nate is still working on losing weight, but we are also looking into another road to the military that may take a itsy bit longer but mean more money and safety in the end. I'm getting laid off of my job this June/July and so am thinking about applying for a job doing retail again but just part time.

Lots of stuff going on, lots of possibilities, lots of reminders that there is time and we just have to take it one day at a time, it will in fact ALL work out as long as we trust Him to guide us and we listen to His gentle loving voice.

Blessings,

A New Season

Time does fly when life is going on.

I can't believe it's been over 2 months since my last post!

We had a visit from Nate's Mom mid december after we celebrated my birthday. The visit was great, it mended a few things, not everything of course what relationship has EVERYTHING worked out? But it provided hope and I know we would like to think in our house that it was a new beginning.

Family relationships are a hard thing to navigate through, especially when you are used to doing things one way and then you decide to change. So we have a ways to go with other relationships but unfortunately that has all really taken a back seat for now...

Our car broke down. I know it sounds like something that happens to everyone, but we went from us both having full time jobs and sharing a car to both having full time jobs to having no car.
It's been quite the situation. God has provided us rides currently but the car hunting has been anything but fun. With bad credit and no savings...you don't get very far. But we are seeing the harvest slowly increasing into our lives and so we have not lost hope that our tomorrows WILL in fact be brighter.

I love listening to the song by Casting Crowns - The Voice of Truth when I start to lose sight of things or get discouraged. Sometimes when you are faced with just crummy circumstances you have to DECIDE to listen to the voice of truth, it usually tells you a different story then what you've been choosing to hear. I love God for that, patiently whispering until I finally listen.

Our biggest news I suppose is that Nate has decided to join the army. Again I just love how God works things out. Over the summer we were looking into joining the Air Force, we talked with Nate's cousin and his wife about it...asked a bazillion questions. Nate talked with a recruiter that was less than half interested in him...lost a lot of weight only to find out that because of his bad credit and age it was pretty near impossible to join. We had told ourselves throughout the process even if this doesn't happen we are getting some discipline and focus in our life and that will be for something! Nate then joined Drivetime and I did a few months after that. We were slowly getting caught up and enjoying the company when...one day Nate was fixing the car and our neighbor upstairs who we had never met randomly came down and asked if Nate wanted any help. Through some conversation we found out that he was joining the army and we ended up talking to him all about it...the next week Nate talked with a recruiter who wasn't pushy or over zealous but interested in talking with Nate. Well fast forward to present day and Nate has taken his ASVAB and passed it with flying colors, not only that but he only took half time given him AND when he took the pre-test the recruiter said he did so good he didn't need to study and since we didn't have money for the book anyway we decided to believe him, so Nate didn't study. When he was read his results the guy asked Nate if he was a genius. I thought it was awesome and have been calling him a suuuuPER Genius ever since. =]

Yesterday he went in so they could get his fingerprints on file and he is in the middle of losing the remaining weight or inches and filling out the mountains of paper work. He found a job that seems to be right up his alley and when talking with a recruiter found out with that job even if he is deployed he will MOST likely be in what they call a green zone which is safe. =] That makes me happy!

So with all that going on I'm focusing on enjoying as much time as we can grab together, he just had his day off switched so Sundays are our only day together all day. And since it's busy season at work he's working over 60 hours a week...so needless to say after sleeping in tomorrow I'm cleaning the house. haha We are excited about this new season in our lives and although it's a bit scary I honestly can say I don't think I've seen Nate this lit up about something in a VERY long time if ever aside from getting married. =]

I've got some plans in the works too as to what I will be doing with all that extra time...don't want to share until I have some more definate plans but I can tell you that it involves music. We are both going after our dreams and although that means some time apart I honestly believe that our time together is going to be all that much better because of it!

I will try and give you more updates more frequently. Still using someone elses comp so...patiently awaiting my own so I can blog to my hearts content. lol

Hope all is well with you out there in blogland.
May this year be a truly blessed one for you and your families.
muah
Sarah