Praying for Miracles

I often feel conflicted about how we are supposed to pray. If we ask God for something, all the while expecting not to get it, that shows a lack of faith. But if we ask for something and expect - even know - that it will happen, that feels like putting God in a box, like some genie in a bottle we can command.

Last night I fell on my knees and prayed for a miracle; a true miracle. My friend Sunday had a brain aneurysm on Sunday and was life-flighted to Baylor Univ Medical Center. By the time I heard about it on Monday he had no brain activity and they were waiting on his family to arrive in order to take him off of life support. The nurses said they had never seen anyone come back from that much damage.

And so Facebook exploded with prayers begging for a miracle.

I begged God to heal Sunday, and I found myself trying to convince Him why it was best for him. Oh, human arrogance... I was so sure it would work because a miracle this big could not be denied - think of the power of that message! It would practically be a modern day Lazarus, and with Sunday's popularity the story would have spread across the world quickly.

A few hours later I found out that Sunday had passed. I was determined to have faith in the miracle I requested, but also to accept any outcome as God's will. Praying for a miracle often feels helpless, and prayer should never feel hopeless.

One miracle I can say I witnessed: I have never seen so many heartfelt prayers and messages in my Facebook feed, and it warmed my aching heart. We don't always get the miracle we asked for, but we usually get one if we open our eyes to see it.

Week 15

I'm almost done with 15 weeks of being preggo. I have to say, so far the second trimester is my favorite. I still don't feel great all of the time, but it is more headache/dizziness and less... tumultuous tummy.

By the way, my mother-in-law has informed me that "men have bellies, mommies have tummies". I thought that was really cute, but if I'm honest, I'll cal it whatever-I-damn-well-please-thank-you-very-much. *^_^*

I'm only just starting to feel like I have a "bump", and it isn't obvious unless I'm wearing something fitted or if my tummy is bare. Every night when I get into pajamas I just kind of stand in front of the mirror, hold my tummy and just stare for a bit. Brad loves it.

My I just take a moment, by the way, to brag about my incredible husband? I don't know that I've ever known a more *thoughtful* man. I am truly blessed to have him and to be his.

I'm taking half a day of work off today to go shopping with the MIL and with Vicki (who still doesn't know because we have had trouble getting a hold of her). We'll lunch and then shop in Pearland; I never really spend time down there, but that main intersection at Mccard has so much STUFF, I'm sure we will keep plenty occupied. ; )

This week at work has been very stressful, and I imagine next week will be as well, though with (hopefully) less late hours. Fingers crossed, prayers said.

That's it for week 15! Next week we have our next 4-week appointment, and then in October we find out the sex! Truly random sidebar: I really prefer to say gender for a numbe rof reasons, but *technically* what we're finding out is the sex. Gender apparently has more to do with the developed understanding of self... or something. I'm still going to call the upcoming shindig a Gender Reveal Party, because inviting your folks to a Sex Party just sounds wrong.

::shudder::

Updates on Life

Wow, I really haven't updated in a while. And what an interesting last post date. Let me try and catch you up.

July 9th we were in Alvin with Brad's family for his uncle's memorial service. This was Alan's sister's husband, whom I had never met and who had been sick a long time. It was a sad event, but tempered by relief at his peace. However, while we were all together, we found out that Alan's brother, Rick, died in New Orleans. It was rather shocking (to most of us), and put an odd air over the day. Thankfully, at least we were all there together to comfort one another.

July 10th Rick's granddaughter was born to Eddie, Rick's son that runs a restaurant outside NOLA.

July 10th is also when we found out I was pregnant.

Weird. Weekend.

So now there's a person growing in my uterus. I'm in the middle of week 13, if I have finally figured out the correct way to measure that stuff. Honestly, it confuses me more than is logical.

Lots of prayer requests on my mind lately, as well.
**My uncle Dennis (dad's brother) was diagnosed with prostate cancer. They caught it really early, and it isn't a "bad case", so most are really optimistic, though frightened.
**My friend Celynda is having thyroid surgery in the next few weeks. She's kinda bummed and kinda scared, so I hope she reaches some peace.
**GRAGS IS ENGAGED!!! She is getting married in March, I believe, which breaks my selfish heart because that's when I'm due so I can't gallivant to Dallas. She wasn't able to make it my wedding, either, so I'm super sad, as is Brad. But life goes on, and that day isn't really about us anyway...

That should be a pretty efficient, though brief, catch up. Wish me luck (AND PRAY FOR US) as baby (and mommy) grows. Yea, panel pants!

Wish List: More Nerd Shirts

I can't think of the last time I wanted a t-shirt so badly!
"No Power in the Verse Can Stop Me"


This one is also adorable. "Wash"


Another excellent choice. "I'm a Keeper"

Harry Potter is a'coming

Only 8 days until I get to watch the next and final Harry Potter film. How sad and amazing and wonderful! I've had this delightful earworm stuck in my head for two days now - lucky me. ;)

And just a few days after the movie I'm competing in a Harry Potter themed quiz called the Geeky Cauldron. I'm rallying my friends David and Erin to help me to victory (because they're awesome, and because Joanna and Grags don't live here). When we win we will get a cash prize of anywhere between $200 and $500, depending on how many people show up.

I'm rereading Deathly Hallows now, plus going through Harry: A History again. Then I'm going to read Tales of Beedle the Bard once more; I read it once a long time ago, so I need a refresher course. I've been to these GeeksWhoDrink quizzes- they don't mess around. These questions will be obscure and difficult. Bring it on!

Crafting: A Fine Line

I spend a lot of time reading craft/DIY blogs, especially (lately) party-planning idea sites. It is so fun to dream up these elaborate parties; see, in my dreams it is all paid for by someone else... le sigh. I find the most fascinating ideas for reusing and upcycling all kinds of around-the-house (and Dollar Store) items. I've started cleaning and collecting all jars we use (mostly pickles and marinara) and saving them for any number of uses. I also have a small stack in my cubicle of instant coffee tins, which I can use as favor boxes, tiny flower 'vases', or short centerpieces.

And this experience has got me thinking: where is the line between upcycling and hoarding?

Jars are easy enough to use: leftovers, serving drinks, hold flowers, bake pies - a plethora of options. I listed several possibilities for the tins, though I wonder how likely it is I will do any of that. Then there's the drawer in my "craft room" (slash library slash bar slash throw-crap-in-there room) no longer entirely full of empty toilet paper/paper towel rolls.

Yeah.

I threw away quite a few of them eventually, though I keep some in case I ever actually get around to this project or one like it. There are lots of options for this craft, but again, will I ever actually frakking do it?

I'm not even a serious crafter; not even slightly close. What must it look like at craft bloggers houses, in the dark recesses of their I-might-use-this-someday treasure troves? I'm all for reusing what we already have and utilizing the mundane for beauty and creativity, btu at what point does it just become an inability to throw out the trash?

Moonlight

I love the feeling of trying a new-to-you TV show, when you can't tell if it is horrible or amazing and you love it either way.

Oh, you don't ever feel that? I feel it all the time. Buffy the Vampire Slayer's comes to mind. It has such a strange vibe, but you listen to hundreds of people laud it so you push through. Suddenly that strange vibe is why you fall in love.

I was Netflix meandering this week, starting with Veronica Mars. Hmm, I wonder what else Jason Dohring ever did. Not much, it seems, but he worked on a show called Moonlight. It is about vampires - surprise - though specifically one who is a private investigator. Oh and he drinks blood from a vial and/or shoots it up like heroin: no people drinking. It isn't available on Instant so I ordered the disc, and last night I watched 2 episodes. It stars Sophia "I used to bang David Tennant" Myles. The story follows Mick St John (horrible name) played by Alex O'Loughlin whose IMDb history is a bit sad considering the *pretty*. And his best/oldest friend, 400-yr old Josef, is played by a blood-drinking version of Logan Echolls.

And I love it. Unashamedly.

There is only one season, so there is no danger of me wasting too much time on it, but I absolutely love it. The plots are predictable, the effects moderate, the use of music somewhat laughable-- but who cares? I wonder how cheap I could find it on Amazon...