Little Bit of This and That

My husband asked me if I was going to do my Wednesday blogging anymore :)  I haven't been very faithful in it lately.  I am getting close to the finish line with this pregnancy.  Less than 2 weeks to go.  I'll be induced on the 9th or 10th of May unless this baby comes sooner than expected.

God has taught me so many wonderful things throughout this pregnancy.  But, I am really looking forward to being back at church, physically being able to CLEAN my house, lift my kids, exercise, and so on.   My two kiddos have really started to "grow up" during this pregnancy, and I am itching to be able to do some more things with them as well. 

In the last two months Madison learned to walk.  It took her quite a while to decide on walking.  Probably because she could crawl like lightening :)  But, she finally took off walking the week my mom was here.  She surprised us by signing please and thank you all on her own.  She is saying new words.  Two words that I really like hearing her say are belly button and baby.  I'm sure the average person would not understand her.  However I understand and I love to hear her little voice say those words.  One word I hear WAY too often is "more."  Both of my kids will repeatedly say that over and over and over!  I have to remind them to say please, and then I see 2 kiddos vigorously rubbing their tummies.--That is their way of signing for please.  It can really be humorous! 

Ethan has totally lost the toddler look.  He is now my little boy.  I can hardly believe how big he is and how much he has grown these past few months.  Ethan is now enjoying daycare.  I miss him during the day, but I am so happy he is getting to play outside, interact with kids every day, and receiving the benefit of learning new things and being on a good routine.  We love our boy so much, and want to see the Lord work in his life.  I think this pregnancy has been hardest on him.  I am really looking forward to the ability to lift him again.  (It will be a good work-out for me since he is over 37 pounds now!)  He looks like a giant next to the other 2 year olds in his class.   One of his teachers sent home pics. for us to see how happy he is during the day.--As a mom I just couldn't stop looking at those precious pictures of him with all his little friends.  It made my day!!!

Backyard Visitor

Every once in a while we get a fun 
visitor in our backyard.  

Sometimes it is a cat,

a bunny,

 or an armadillo.

This time to my little boy's

DELIGHT,

it was a turtle :)

Blessings in Trials

These past 2 weeks have been pretty tough.  There are so many things I could say to expound on that, but it is not necessary.  In a nut shell we have made 2 ER visits, doctor visit, many physical therapy visits, decisions on putting my 2 year old in daycare, etc.  It's been a little of an emotional roller coaster and some of that probably has to do with the very strong pain killers I'm on.  The days are a little blurry to me right now.

Yet, through this pregnancy I know God is in control.  Jon and I have seen God answer prayer in marvelous ways.  I've seen God provide help when we just felt like we couldn't go on.  I've seen God show himself mighty!  My body seems to be failing me in so many ways.  Yet, it is such a comfort that all these circumstances are in the hands of a God who NEVER fails.  I can trust Him to give me the physical ability to take care of my one year old, trust Him with my 2 year old being in daycare, and trust Him to give my husband the energy to keep carrying the load of 2 parents and keep working full time.  Would I have chosen the trials in this pregnancy? NO!  Does God know best? YES!!!!

Sometimes God brings us to our worst physically so that all we can do is put our hands out before Him and say, "Heavenly father, I place everything in your care.  I give everything over to you. There is NOTHING I can do without you!"  Have you ever found it easy to push yourself to do what needs to be done instead of relying on God's strength and wisdom for what actually should be done?  Sometimes when the physical ability to do anything is completely taken away it helps you see how little "living by faith" you've actually done.  Isn't it a blessing that God doesn't give up on us?!  He is not finished with Amber Cline, yet.  I've been blessed with "physical battles" not as a punishment, but as a help for me to cling to Him with my whole heart.  It is a choice I can make.  That little saying, "Two choices on the shelf, pleasing God or pleasing self" is so true!  I choose to see the blessings!  I choose to look to God and trust Him.  I thank Him for caring for my family during this time and providing just what we need.  He is all-sufficient!  What an amazing God I serve!

BTW, only 4 weeks of pregnancy left!  Praying for my little Emily.  So thankful God has blessed us with another "bundle of joy."  Someday she'll hear about this pregnancy :)  I hope at that time I remember to share the blessings of what God has done!