39 1/2 Weeks

We are VERY ready to meet this little baby!  I have a feeling that we may go a bit overdue, but maybe we will be surprised.  Due date: October 2nd

Arbor Day Date

Our foster kids went to respite this past weekend, which gave Matt and me a full weekend with each other before baby comes.  In about a week and a half we will be venturing into a whole new stage of marriage adding a little person to our family, Lord willing.  It was officially our last weekend together without children for forevermore!  Not to say we won't have/take weekends and trips without our kids, but even though we have had foster kids it marked our last weekend of marriage before the babies come.

I left it up to Matt to plan something for Saturday, and he sure did good!  We went to Nebraska City, NE to Arbor Day Farms.  They were having an applejack festival.  We spent our day walking (a ton) through trails, checking out all their fun goodies they sell, Matt doing a wine tasting while I tasted apple cider =), eating lunch at the lodge, picking apples, and just enjoying God's creation and some much needed, quality time together.

Here we are making our way along the paths.

Matt enjoying his bison burger and sweet potato fries.

Picking some apples.  We have no idea what kind of apples we picked, but we tried a few along the way.

I picked a few, but Matt was pretty sure he was a better apple picker. 

Therefore, I let him do most of the picking.  =)

After spending a full day at Arbor Day Farms it made me want to go back and spend a night at the lodge........hint, hint babe.  ;)

Moms In Need

I need to read this daily........

We Really Need the Gospel

by Christina Fox | September 17, 2013

Reblogged from desiringgod.org (http://www.desiringgod.org/blog/posts/we-really-need-the-gospel)

Someone asked me recently, “If you could say one thing to women, what would it be?” My response was, “You need the gospel more than you think you do.” This sounds rather trite, like something we’ve heard over and over before. But it’s the truth.

It took motherhood for me to realize just how much I need the gospel. Before I had children, the gospel was like viewing a tower in the fog. I knew the gospel, understood its importance, but I didn’t see the impact in all its fullness. The details were hazy and its beauty shadowed. But after becoming a mom and taking on its package of responsibilities and challenges, I have begun to see the gospel with more clarity. It has become for me the tower of refuge that it is.

Gospel in the Everyday

Parenting has helped me understand and love the gospel at a deeper level than I had ever known before. I see traces of the gospel story every day in the things I encounter as a mother. Each time I confront sin in my children, I see my own sin reflected back at me and I am reminded of my great need for a Savior. When I work with my children on yet the same issue again and again, I see God’s patience in how he handles my own ongoing struggles against sin. When my child wanders off in a crowd and I can’t find him, I get a glimpse of the Father’s love for me and remember the lengths he went to make me his child. And as I pray with my children through their tough circumstance, helping them see the gospel’s relevance, I experience anew the refreshing and cleansing work of Christ’s death in my place.

In Christ Alone

The hymn “In Christ Alone” captures the main lesson I have learned through motherhood. My hope and strength are really found in Christ alone. I need Jesus. I need his gospel every moment of every day. For it is the gospel which tells me that because of what Christ accomplished for me at the cross, I can bring my sins, failures, and weaknesses to his throne of grace in confidence and find the help I need (Hebrews 4:16). It tells me that while I am utterly sinful, even more than I think I am, the Father loves me with the same love with which he loves his Son. It tells me that because Jesus lived a perfect life, God looks at me and sees Christ’s righteousness. He sees Christ’s perfect love for others, his perfect patience, grace, forgiveness, and forbearance, and not my sinful reactions, grudges, and selfishness. It also tells me that because Christ freed me from slavery to sin, I am free to live for him.

Gospel-Empowered Parenting

When I view my daily parenting challenges through the lens of the gospel, I see Christ’s love and grace for me. When I fail as a mother, the gospel reminds me of the forgiveness Christ purchased for me. This truth sustains and strengthens me. As I trust and rest in what Christ has already done for me, I am empowered to face every challenge motherhood throws my way because the gospel is my tower of refuge.

Jesus said that we need to abide in him because apart from him, we can do nothing (John 15:5). Parenthood has revealed this truth to me in so many ways. I can do nothing apart from the gospel, including parenting. It may sound trite, but it’s true: I need the gospel more than I think I do — every single day.

What Will Our Baby Look Like.....?

We are getting very curious.  Excited that we don't have too much longer to wait!  =)

9 Months!

Baby Shower Excitement

A few weeks ago my sister-in-laws and mother-in-law threw me and baby a shower.  When I walked into the shower I was overwhelmed and excited with all that they had put into the shower.  The room was beautiful and they had really gone out of their way to match my likings.  =)

Amity getting the rolls ready.

Amanda painting bow and mustache cups.

Kim, the "head planner" probably making coffee? :)

Maggi cutting rolls and probably eating some along the way.  I know I would!

I've arrived!

The crew minus mom Kaeb.  From left to right: my mom (Anna), Amity, Kim, me, Maggi, Amanda, Tami, P, and Alex

My mom and younger sister Alex came out to Kansas for the shower.  It was such a blessing to have them there and fun for me to show them off to my friends.

The Coffee Bar

Amanda painted all these cups with the bows and mustaches.  As each person went through the line they had to choose whether they thought I was having a girl or boy.  It was fun to then see peoples guesses.

I love breakfast....from breakfast casseroles to gooey rolls, fruit cups, OJ, and coffee.  I love it all!

We were so blessed by so many family and friends with gifts.  We are so thankful to all that contributed toward preparing us for this little bundle when he/she comes.

The neatest part of the shower was when Sharon Mishler shared a devotion on mommy-hood and just shared her wisdom from years of being a mom, and also when all the ladies surrounded me, laid hands on me and baby, and prayed for us.  I will never forget what it felt like to have so many hands reached out surrounding me and baby with blessings and prayers to our God.

Thanks again to my amazing family for the love you showed me in putting this shower together.  Thank you to all the came and showed me love and support!