Update on Noah

Not an official blog entry, Mark and I had our 36 week visit...which meant our last time seeing Noah on a tiny screen...the next time we see him he will be in our arms! We found out that Noah is currently 6 lbs. 7 oz., and not the 10 lbs. I have feared.

We found out that he has a head full of hair and that his intestines are in his body (another ridiculous fear I had). All looks well with our little man and we can't wait to meet him.

He is head down, and my body has begun the process of preparing to deliver him...which means only that I will indeed have him, but we have no due date other than January 10.

So weekly visits are in our future. Our bags are packed and in the car. The car seat is installed. Noah has more gifts than we do under the tree and we have dog sitters lined up!

Christmas Past

Shopping, hot chocolate, lights, cookies...all of these come to mind when I think about Christmas. This Christmas Mark and I will spend our first Christmas alone. With Noah due not long after Christmas we are not allowed to travel.

So today I sit peaking past the Christmas tree, watching snow fall outside, thinking of Christmases that have come and gone, traditions I will miss, and family that I love so much.

That being said, the traditional Norman Rockwell painting my family is not. Picturesque moments we do not have. Rather, belly laughter that does not stop, silly gifts that reflect personalities, and blouses covered in flour make our photo opportunities.

So, that being said, here are some of the things I will miss the most about being with family for Christmas. I will miss my dad asking when the meal will be ready...even though my mom and I have been standing in the kitchen for hours cooking while the rest of the family sits in the living room watching movies and taking cat naps. I will miss playing bingo for $1 gifts and hearing my dad call the numbers as if he had a part-time job as a bingo caller. I will miss watching my brother laugh as he opens yet one more t-shirt with some ridiculous saying on it. I will miss putting frosting on cookies with my sister, all the while trying to convince my father that purple frosting tastes just like blue frosting. I will miss watching my mom open an unexpected gift that makes her cry, while I cry right along with her. I will miss it all, yet, with the birth of Noah, I know that family Christmases are just beginning again for our family.

I encourage each of you to look past the little things that drive you crazy at Christmastime, the habits that your family has that makes you bite your nails. Take the time to remember that each member of your family has been created to be just like they are and that God placed you in the care of your family for very specific reasons.

For Mark and I, we will remember that Christmas is a birth story. I think of Mary, big and pregnant (not unlike me), trying to find a place, any place, to have her baby...our Jesus. We will remember to love deeply and to treasure the family and the memories we have of family so far away.



Love to all of you this Christmas season.


“But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.”- Luke 1:30-33

I'm Not Perfect

Wow. If you know me, you already know that I am not perfect. If you are family, you are probably laughing right now. While I know I am not perfect, I spend a lot of time trying to make sure I get as close to perfect as possible.

I plan, I organize, I spend countless hours completing tasks that I think are necessary. These tasks give me the feeling of perfection. A spotless house, thank-you cards sent out on time, bills paid and mailed early...all signs of my perfect life.

Just a couple of weeks ago Mark's brother was coming for a weekend of football here in the Show-Me State. I had plans. I had my days scheduled, my cleaning scheduled, my meals planned out.

I have bragged about my easy pregnancy. I have rejoiced and given thanks to the Lord for it. So in this perfect plan of mine for John's visit I did not plan on being weak. The weekend before the visit I pulled (somehow) a muscle in my stomach which kept me from being able to stand on my own...I couldn't hold the laptop against my stomach, I couldn't sit all the way up...I couldn't clean, I couldn't prepare wonderful meals. I was weak.

I went to the doctor and was put on bed rest for the entire week. This meant a dirty house, no groceries, and a guest on the way.

2 Corinthians 12:9
But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.

In the same week my cousin, Chris, turned 50! While we could not make the trip to Virginia for his surprise party, I was going to send a tape wishing him a Happy Birthday. I didn't do it, not a tape, not a card, not an e-mail. Happy late Birthday Chris!



Some saying reads something like this, "If you are near me long enough I will let you down." That is how I have felt, that is my flesh talking. It is not a warning to all of you. Rather, it reminds me that it is only through Christ's strength that I am able to do anything at all.

Philippians 4:13
I can do all things though Christ who strengthens me.

My stomach has healed, my house is still not clean, I haven't cooked in days, and I have yet to mail even a card to Chris. This is where I am. It is not a confession, but a realization. As the day drawers nearer for Noah to join us I ask that you pray for us. Pray that I am able to let the little things go, that I will release the idea of perfection, and that we are able to teach Noah what is really important...that we serve a Risen Lord.

Showered with Blessings

Last week my parents came for a visit. Mark and I planned everything out...meals, day trips (mostly dealing with fun Noah things), movies to keep my dad entertained...we are great at making plans.

Not so surprising, the plans didn't work the way we expected. Dad ended up not feeling well and spent time in bed...with the exception of working on our mailbox for hours...upon hours. Dad and Dixie had a lot of great time outside. Dixie actually ate her collar. I mean ate it...no remnants.

Mom and I spent hours looking for new hair cuts...only to leave our masterpiece examples at home.

Mark spent time...watching college football...and hanging out with whomever was home...and shopping with Mom and me.

On Friday we were able to have a 3D ultrasound done...we watched Noah suck his hand, open his mouth and look adorable. Mom went with us, as did a good friend, Ashley. It was difficult to see. I was on my side, trying to get Noah to move, Mark was beside me, holding my hand. On Sunday, after my parents left and the house was quiet, Mark and I cuddled on the couch and watched Noah's debut together. It was incredible.

Sunday afternoon was my second baby shower. The first was given by my sister,Helen, and was an intimate gathering of family and friends. This was a shower with my wonderful friends of Missouri. Mom was there with me and Mark showed up near the end to help unwrap the gifts. I was honored and blessed beyond belief.



While we miss home daily, we were reminded that we are surrounded by people who love us. We are part of a community. God put us in a place like no other. He hand chose where we would live and who we would meet.

In the pictures I am 28 and 1/2 weeks pregnant. The pictures simply do not reveal just how big my tummy has gotten...sorry Helen...but trust me on this, Noah continues to grown, as does my abdomen.

Where in the World is Angie?

It's been weeks. Each day I think, "I should write on my blog." Then dinner has to be cooked, the kitchen cleaned, the dog played with, and the husband needs quality time to talk about his day. And we think we are tired now?!

We are officially 22 weeks pregnant. I still have to remind myself that I am pregnant. Now, I know I had a big stomach before I got pregnant, but now it is big and rock hard!





When we found out we were having a boy Mark and I just looked at each other and smiled. The Love family hasn't seen a girl born first in many a generation. Mark and his brother thought there might be a genetic chance for a girl, statistically there was little.

I have been blessed with an easy pregnancy. I have slept well, I have walked, I have lost weight, I have even eaten healthier. I do believe that the nonfat, decaf, iced, carmel latte was created for me, along with hostess cupcakes. I can't get enough of either, although I rarely drink the latte.

I miss Coke and Pepsi, Taco Bell and salads. Noah simply doesn't like the foods and I know he can't have the other. On advice of Mark's cousin's wife (we won't name you, Melissa) I drank a Pepsi before my ultrasound. Noah was moving all over the place. The technician kept talking about how active the baby was...maybe I drank too much!

We look forward to the next few months. We look forward to seeing our baby. We look forward to introducing him to those that we love.

I look forward to Pepsi, a crunchy taco with no lettuce, and a house salad from Outback with tangy tomato and honey mustard dressing.

I Love the Way He Loves Me!

Last Wednesday Mark and I left for D.C. We had a conference to attend and planned a few extra days to sight see. We have been inseperable. So, today was Mark's first day back at work. What did he want? Freedom? Time with the other men at work? Peace and quiet? No, he wanted more time with me. He asked me to meet him for lunch!



So as I sat home, thinking how nice it would be to not make the 30 minute drive over to the town where Mark works, the Lord reminded me of how blessed I am. On March 21, 1997, Mark asked me out for the first time. On April 2 we were engaged. People were shocked. We hadn't taken the "proper" path to dating and engagement. We knew we were supposed to me married.



So, here I am, 10 years later, married to the man who loves me more than I can even imagine. I write of friends, of family, but never of this amazing man who, after spending 8 solid days with me, asked me to lunch again on the 9th day.



So, to my wonderful husband, I love the way you love me! See you at lunch.

Sha-Nay-Nay Woods or Something Like That

School ended. I was more than ready. Two days later we were in the car headed to Ohio. My sister, Helen, road with us. It was a long drive. There was a lot of laughing. I learned that Helen had a side job...and that her theme song was no longer Pour Some Sugar on Me. We all learned that you can go numb from the waist down.

Twenty-three years, that is how long I had been gone from Ohio. I left as a 14-year-old girl. My cousins were older when I left. I did not know them as an adult. My second cousins were only children. I did not know them at all.

There were things I remembered...most had to do with food! I loved Kennedy's Bakery...especially the pineapple and chocolate chip danishes. I craved Mr. Lee's sopapillas.

Now, for those of us who love Tex-Mex and who have lived or live in the south, these are not the dessert sopapillas we smother in honey after filling our stomachs on fajitas. Mr. Lee's sopapilla uses the sopapilla shell, opens it up, stuffs it with meat, cheese, lettuce, and sauce, and serves it as a meal. Chewy's restaurant serves something very similar.



So, numb from the waist down, we finally arrived...without complete directions to my aunt's house. We passed Sienna Woods. Helen called this Sha-Nay-Nay Woods and the family knew we were lost. Needless to say, we found our way. There was hugging and talking...and lots of laughing.

Here are the things I discovered during our brief time there:

1. You can always go home.
2. Family is family, and no one has to pretend to be something they're not.
3. If you laugh long enough your ribs hurt and your uncle will remove his hearing aid.
4. You can't win every game of cards.
5. If you have a "condition" it will get you out of Indian Leg Wresting and will keep you from being scared by your cousin's husband (who you claim as cousin).
6. Your husband will survive meeting everyone...at one time...and he will be hugged by everyone...even if he is not a hugger.
7. Mr. Lee's sopapillas are just as you remembered them and Kennedy's Bakery still makes the best pastries in the world.
8. If you eat non-stop you will gain weight.
9. Even at 37 you are still asked to run every errand.
10. Pizza after 10:00 p.m. is always delicious.
11. My aunt is fascinated by men covered in oil.
12. You can cry when you say good-bye and everyone will understand why.



I was reminded of how much I loved growing up with my family surrounding me. I loved being hugged by Kit, my youngest cousin. He reminds me so much of my own brother, who was unable to come for the visit. I loved getting kissed by my Aunt Fletta and Uncle Ralph each night at bedtime. I loved hearing that my dad was a "local" regardless of where we went. I loved watching my parents return home. I loved the laughter that filled the house, being near the people who make me laugh, and learning who they are as adults.



So, this blog is for my dad's family. I love you all very much! Let's commit to seeing one another again soon...not 23 years from now!