Baby Naming

So many people have asked if we’ve named our baby yet and the answer is, “YES!”

“Oh, what is it?” It’s a surprise. Sorry.

Then most people say, “That’s a good idea.” I guess the consensus is that people feel like the name is “up for debate” or something if the child isn’t actually born yet. And what if someone doesn’t like the name you chose? It seems like people feel free to tell you that! Can you imagine? Or are you one of the guilty ones?

My sister chose to wait to find out the gender of her first baby so we knew we were getting a Jack or a Jenna. We got Jenna. Then with her second, they found out it was a girl so the only clue they gave us was two huge white letters on the nursery wall, “H,” and “I.” You could drive yourself crazy trying to guess the many options with those to letters. Sophie was born and we all agreed that was adorable. I haven’t given any clues except perhaps, “It’s not weird.” I’m too much of a people pleaser to name my baby “Rain” or “Apple.”

So our little girl’s name remains a secret to everyone except her mommy and daddy. Today I found a website where you can see how many people in the US have your same name. Our little one will officially be the fifth person in the US with her name (this accounts for the combination of first and last names).

There’s another site (which I don’t remember right now) where you comment on your own name so future parents can decide if they should choose it. You answer questions like, “What nicknames were you given?” “Would you recommend your name?” “How often do people mispronounce it?” etc. According to that site, everyone who has our baby’s name liked it.

In the South it’s common to use both first and middle names at all times. Our baby’s name definitely works that way although there is the tendency to shorten the first one when we are using both. So I’m not sure what we’ll end up calling her on a daily basis, but I like all of the variations.

Only 4 1/2 weeks until we get to announce it to the world! Hurray!

May Flowers

I’m very proud of my balcony flower boxes. My first clematis just bloomed yesterday and the impatiens have been doing quite well!

Showers of Blessings

After three baby showers we are feeling quite blessed. I’m just constantly amazed at the generosity of others! Thank you to all of you who are so excited about our new baby. What a gift it is to know that she will not only be loved by us but by all of you.

Here is our nursery:

The quilt hanging over the back of the crib was made by my amazing sister. The blanket in the bed and the one to right of the rocking chair were made by dear ladies at church. The “piles” of clothes (more are in the closet) are thanks to my sister and my cousin. I have so many precious little dresses sized 0-3 months that I think our little one will get to dress up to go grocery shopping otherwise she’ll never get to wear them all.

THANK YOU

…to my mother-in-law and aunts for my Louisiana shower over Easter weekend!

…to my cousin Rachel for hosting such a lovely shower for all of our Dallas friends and family!

…to the ladies at Colleyville PCA for a delightful time and for your amazing generosity!

More pictures to come!

Pregnancy Update

I’m officially at 34 weeks. Only six weeks until D-DAY! About a month ago I started receiving comments in public like,

“Oh, when are you due?”

“Do you know what you’re having?”

“Is this your first?”

…etcetera

Today I was out shopping and at the grocery store a sweet grocery clerk said, “Oh, honey, you poor thing, you look like you’re about to explode!”

At Hobby Lobby I turned a corner and must have surprised a young man who quickly moved out of the way while saying, “Whoa! Excuse me!”

I definitely felt like I was going to explode today. For some reason it felt like the baby was pushing out in all directions trying to burst through my belly button (which is no longer a “button” per se.)

She is currently breach so we are praying that she turns around in time for delivery. The doctor said that she most likely will so we haven’t even talked about “What if she doesn’t?” yet. I’m sure a C-section is a possibility, but we’ll deal with that when we have to! For now, just pray for her to turn around.

Congratulations Dawn and Steve!

Dawn has served with my Ukraine team for over five years. In 2007 she began to pray fervently that “this would be the year” that she would meet her husband. Steve had recently joined one of our team’s supporting church’s in Austin, TX and decided to go on their annual Summer mission trip to Kiev. Within three days of the trip everyone knew “something was up.” Less than one year after the trip they are happily married!

Here are the Bukovietski girls with Nathan Fredere…MK’s from our team.

Dawn’s Nieces

Ukraine Team reunion!

Congratulations Dawn and Steve!

I’ve been tagged

My sister-in-law, Stephanie, tagged me, so here are seven things you might not know about me:

1. I’m definitely an extrovert but I don’t like to call people on the phone. I love it when they call me, however.

2. I quit scrap-booking in 1997 after my third mission trip. I plan to take it up again soon! (At least doing photo-albums. I have no lofty notions of die-cutting, etc.)

3. I love budgeting and spend time daily on Quicken downloading new transactions and categorizing purchases.

4. I cannot sleep if I hear the sound of a ticking clock.

5. I love to follow the rules and hate to get in trouble. I didn’t, however, ask permission of the management before recently painting our apartment. This makes me feel somewhat rebellious.

6. I love buying things…even groceries. My favorite toy as a child was a plastic cash register.

7. I play the guitar but only play about 6-7 chords. Thanks to a capo I can play most contemporary worship music…but nothing in a minor key.

Now I’d like to hear seven little known facts from:

1. My mom: California Living
2. My sister: McClure Family Adventures
3. Moriah: Please Pass the Salt
4. Bethany: T&B Rowe
5. Elisabeth: Rizzotti Reflections

If you decide to participate, here are the rules:
1. Link to your tagger and post these rules on your blog.
2. Share seven facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.
3. Tag seven people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs.
4. Let them know they are tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

The Wisdom of Solomon

If you haven’t yet read my previous post, please do so before continuing.

I’d like to share some of the portions of Shepherding a Child’s Heart which I outlined as I read the book. The author uses the book of Proverbs throughout the text so to start I want to start with Proverbs.

Proverbs 1

The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:

For attaining wisdom and discipline;

for understanding words of insight;

For acquiring a disciplined and prudent life,

doing what is right and just and fair;

For giving prudence to the simple,

knowledge and discretion to the young –

Let the wise listen and add to their learning,

and let the discerning get guidance –

For understanding proverbs and parables,

the sayings and riddles of the wise.

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge,

but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

Parenting Defined
from Shepherding a Child’s Heart, p. 33

“Recognizing that God has called you to function as His agent defines your task as a parent. Our culture has reduced parenting to providing care. Parents often see the task in these narrow terms. The child must have food, clothes, a bed and some quality time. In sharp contrast to such a weak view, God has called you to a more profound task than being a care-provider. You shepherd your child in God’s behalf. The task God has given you is not one that can be conveniently scheduled. It is a pervasive task. Training and shepherding are going on whenever you are with your children. Whether waking, walking, talking or resting, you must be involved in helping your child to understand life, himself and his needs from a biblical perspective.”

Posture of Learning

I just re-read all of the comments from my post on favorite child-rearing books. Since that seemingly innocent request for input on the subject I have come to learn that child-rearing is up there with finances on “things you don’t talk about in Christian circles unless you want to start a huge controversy.” I had no idea. Okay, I had a little bit of an idea, but now I’m VERY CAREFUL about even bringing up the topic.

My goal is not to judge one parent over another but simply to acquire wisdom and knowledge about the most important topic my life has yet to encounter…becoming a mother.

Oh the thousands of decisions I will be making every minute that will directly impact another soul’s LIFE! I must say that although I am humbled by the prospect I am rejoicing that God has given me this opportunity to know him better and to share my life with another. I know that beyond a doubt it will enforce my own understanding of my need for God’s grace and wisdom daily in my life, and how can THAT be bad? No, it’s all good. Very good.

As I looked back over the comments from my previous post I did realize that there was some controversy about the book Shepherding a Child’s Heart, but not enough to make me resist blogging about it! Because as I read it I was simply encourage and inspired and I want to share with you, my readers, whoever you are, the encouragement found in this book. For one thing, it has reminded me of the importance of Proverbs and has inspired me to start reading Proverbs daily once again.

So I will be blogging about this book and about my journey through Proverbs in light of being a new mother. My goal is not to cause controversy but to encourage you to also consider with me these ideas, whether they are new to you or something you’ve always known - so that we may together grow in knowledge, understanding, and wisdom - so that we will be the aroma of Christ to our children and to the world.

Want $25?

Do this by May 15 and you will receive $25 in your account! I did it and it worked. I found it on a friend’s website and decided it was worth a try. It’s like Pay Pal, I guess. You do have to give your SSN and your bank info but it explains that you have to do that for any banking transaction. You give your bank account so they can directly deposit the money. Then you can just send or receive money from anyone else who is a member! Join for free and treat yourself to a pedicure!

Join Revolution MoneyExchange!

P.S. My friend Brie checked it out on the BBB (good call, Brie) and says it’s legit. However, my friend, Monica, pointed me to a post that gave details of the “fine print.” All in all, it’s still determined totally safe and legit. It just depends on how protective you are of your info. I know we should all be protective in this age of identity theft but I rule against the spirit of fear!

Easter Memories

The Saturday before easter my mother-in-law hosted a baby shower for me. After the shower we all changed clothes and went to the porch where my father-in-law he boiled 120 pounds of craw fish. After the crawfish were eaten we took away the pink presents and brought in the blue presents to celebrate sousins Grayson and Caleb’s first birthdays. (They are one month apart). What a wonderful day!