Preparing to be a Mother

What to Expect When You're Expecting

"Finally in this edition of What to Expect When You're Expecting continues the tradition of cheering expectant parents on as they venture off to face this life-changing experience, providing them with the inspiration that they 'can do it.'

Miracles happen--best wishes on yours."
-- Richard Aubry, M.D., M.P.H.

This is a whole new step in this life's journey: Preparing for Motherhood. No, I am not pregnant yet, but I am starting to get mommy desires. So, my mommy friends, Gyno, and Birthing Center all suggested some reading material, especially this book. I figured that would be a great addition. The best place to start, though, is at the very beginning. The question then is, "Who is the beginning?" God is the beginning of all things, knows all things, and understands this process, who I am, my husband, and our future children together better than I ever could. That is where we decided to start--in the Word, in prayer, in dreams, in words of knowledge, etc. 

We are made in His likeness (Genesis).

Children are a heritage of the Lord. 

Ps. 127 127 

Unless the Lord builds the house,
They labor in vain who build it;
Unless the Lord guards the city,
The watchman stays awake in vain.
² It is vain for you to rise up early,
To sit up late,
To eat the bread of sorrows;
For so He gives His beloved sleep.

³ Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord,
The fruit of the womb is a reward.
⁴ Like arrows in the hand of a warrior,
So are the children of one’s youth.
⁵ Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them;
They shall not be ashamed,
But shall speak with their enemies in the gate.

Ps. 128 128 

Blessed is every one who fears the Lord,
Who walks in His ways.

² When you eat the labor of your hands,
You shall be happy, and it shall be well with you.
³ Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine
In the very heart of your house,
Your children like olive plants
All around your table.
⁴ Behold, thus shall the man be blessed
Who fears the Lord.

⁵ The Lord bless you out of Zion,
And may you see the good of Jerusalem
All the days of your life.
⁶ Yes, may you see your children’s children.

Peace be upon Israel!

Four children (as far as we know of right now) will be entrusted to us. 

1) Julia Rae (Jules, Rae Rae)

2) Timothy Lee (Tim)

3) Catalina Marie (Cat)

4) Antonio Stefan (Tony)
5) June Jolie (little June bug)

All Noviello's, of course. ;-)

So, I will certainly continue reading, continue researching, visiting places, asking experienced and inexperienced mothers questions. Stay tuned for future mommy preparation posts.

What's your advice?

A Runner's Progression

So the other morning my husband and I went running in the morning before work. It started off as a light mist but quickly turned into an open heaven raining down heavy drops of grace rain. By the end of the run I felt so alive and was so glad we ran. It certainly did not start off that way.

Many would consider me in great shape and even an experienced runner due to the many years I have run track events, other sports as well as leisure running and exercising. Despite all of that, lately, I have been "out of commission." "Why should I even be bothered with this?" I wondered. So, I started off tired not even wanting to be bothered with getting out of bed right into physical exertion. I kept doing the motions necessary, clothes, sneakers, drinking water, stretching, opening the front door, and then taking that first step.

I began questioning, "What's the point of even doing this if it's going to be such a hassle?" Despite feeling this way, I kept running, focusing on my breathing to work those lung muscles again. My strides began to open up into a fluid motion.

Then, I hit the hill... "Can I make it over this? Will I have to stop? I probably should just quit." I asked for strength. I made it over the hill. The endorphins kicked in, and the wind blew me to the end.

Crossing the finish line makes the whole tiredness, questioning, wrestling, pushing, enduring WORTH IT ALL.

It's the same with our walk with the Lord. We are in a race, and whether we choose to quit before the end or not is the question. Crossing that finish line in faith with the Lord makes everything we've experienced in pain, trials, attacks, leaving relationships, letting the world go, I believe in FAITH is all worth it because HE IS WORTH IT. Jesus already accomplished the hardest part and gives us everything we need to endure and persevere through whatever we may face from the mole hill to the mountains. Walking or running, will you cross the finish line in faith?

If you don't want to trust me, trust HIM, because it will be worth more than you could ever think or imagine.