This body is not my own

This is what I have to remind myself DAILY. Obvious to some, not to others. But for those of you that are, or have ever been pregnant, and follow the same God, you know what I'm talking about. Let's get to the point. This body is not my own, it belongs to the Lord. As easy as it is to say, I sure have a hard time letting go of the following...



...a minimal wardrobe that consists of wearing the same thing multiple days in a row (and never really being satisfied with how they look on me)...



...feeling HUMONGOUS and swollen, knowing the 'best' is yet to come over the next 3 months...



...the varicose veins which people can't help but stare at and comment on, and knowing there's no way to stop them from getting worse...



...the debilitating heartburn that always takes me by surprise...



...feeling like no matter how much I dress up, I will never look sexy to my husband when we go out....



...and the tailbone pain that has kept me in physical therapy the last several weeks...





I know I'm supposed to embrace the journey of pregnancy, and don't get me wrong....I feel PRIVILEGED to be carrying our little girl. (Greg thanks me all the time for sacrificing my body for our baby, which is so sweet and usually brings me to tears). But, honestly I am selfish. I want to feel good in public, and be noticed for a fit and lean body. Let's be honest. Pregnancy is the OPPOSITE of FIT and LEAN...I have always struggled with how I view myself and how others view my body, and knew pregnancy would bring this challenge again. But, I thought...'shoot this will be easy.' Easy in the sense that 'Oh, now I have a reason to be out of shape...I'm pregnant!' But, Satan likes to pounce when you are down. So I have to battle these thoughts on a daily basis.



So, here I sit. 25 weeks along, trying to think of some verses to memorize that will crush Satan and his evil lies. Any suggestions?

Charlie Bucket...

I have not posted much about my nanny job yet, and I think it's time. This little guy has absolutely made me adore him and his sweet family. His name....Charles Patrick.

Last Halloween...he was Charlie Brown.



I have been working for the Reese's now for almost 2 years, and wow has the time flown! Charlie even has a new baby sister...sweet little Sophia born in January. Although I occasionally look after both kids these days, Charlie is my 'first love' so to speak. I'm definitely attached, and he definitely knows it. He's my little Charlie bucket, and I'm his Nae Nae :)
Here's the short version of why I love this 2 and a half year old...

Charming (who wouldn't be with those faces!)

Hillarious (comes up with witty jokes, and then asks, 'Is that funny?')

Amazingly Athletic (loves playing basketball, soccer, baseball, and his specialty, GOLF...the kid seriously has skills too!)

Remembers (the few times he has met Greg, Charlie loves to ask about him and call him on my cell)

Little Man (too cute in his polo shirts and khaki shorts!)

Imaginitive (declares that its 'Bears' birthday and that we should have a party to celebrate 2 years for him...which I of course obliged to do)

Encouraging (while I'm wiping up something I spilled and saying how 'dumb' I am, Charlie says, 'It will be OK Nae Nae')

It hits me what a big role this little guy plays in my life. Especially as I picture myself with my own children one day. It has been such a wonderful learning experience so far, and while I love "pretending" Charlie is like my own, I realize just how different life will be with one that shares a part of me. I can't imagine looking into a child's eye and seeing a bit of Shannon or Greg in them. So exciting to think about!

And I AM planning to phase out of my job at the end of June. So, I am counting the days (solemnly) and just enjoying each day I have left with my little man.

To good times with Nae Nae...Cheers Charlie!

Recent happenings...

So, did you think I fell off the face of the earth?? I even thought I did for a while there! Geesh! But, we're back and at it. A big reason lately is lack of a camera. All the pics I've posted so far are from a borrowed camera, or just old ones from like a year ago, or ones I find on the internet that are appropriate for the post. Anyhoo, it was time(!) needless to say, and we used Greg's birthday as an excuse to finally bite the bullet. Without further adieu, here are some RECENT pics from life.

Starting with the baby bump...

22.5 weeks along

Sweet whispers to my little girl...

We also have quite a large festival every year called Tulip Time here in Holland, MI. For my friends who are out-of-towners, close your eyes and picture this....a week long celebration that kicks off with fireworks, carnival stands, and junk food wagons like you would see at an amusement park...followed by a bunch of dutch people dressed up in dutch costumes that dance multiple times daily in the middle of streets with wooden shoes and all....along with about 4 parades dispersed throughout the week (which include over 40 bands that come from areas like Virginia, and Chicago). The streets of downtown are lined with planted tulips that open just in time for the first week of May, in ALL different colors! Families fill the pathways of beautiful Centennial park with their little toddlers (also in dutch costumes) taking their annual family pictures, and teenagers use the week as a way to hang out with friends downtown. Even the high schools around here get a day OFF in the middle of the week to enjoy the festival!
It's CRAZY how many tourists come to this thing too! You would find the festival is geared more toward the older crowd, but locals enjoy and participate as well (Or some just get more annoyed with the crowded streets and 'dumb' tourists.)

After living here for 4 years, I have learned that Tulip Time is fun if you make it fun...Here's some snapshots of us enjoying one of the many parades.

Rode our bikes from our home only a couple miles into downtown...

Now that our camera is in full swing...more pics to come, including house updates, family time, and baby bumps!