Fixed Photo

Beth helped me understand that my strategy in taking maternity photos was a little off. The camera was at the wrong angle and the background should be the same every time. So, I have learned my lesson, and she helped me take a better one too.

So this is me and baby at 17 weeks.

I have felt the baby move a few times! That started last week at 18 weeks. I wish I could feel it more, but I know as he/she grows it will be much more constant.

This week (19) the baby is 6 inches long and roughly the size of a mango!

prego pics...

This was me right after we found out, at 6 weeks pregnant. (7/26/10)

This is me, more recently, and more huge-feeling, at 17 weeks. (10/11/10)

Grow, baby, grow!

another crazy-person cat post

She really is one of the most varied parts of daily life.

(And I am aware that sounds pathetic.)

But when she does amusing things, I take pictures to show Bert and you.

A friend from small group gave us a couple baby items that she was trying to get rid of. For the day that they sat in the kitchen, Oakley enjoyed herself immensely.

where's oakley?

She's in there - can you spot her?

neglect

This is the unfortunate end of my garden produce year. I have not been up to tending to or eating food from the garden since morning sickness set in early August. Bert found some HUGE zucchinis on the vine recently. And they have met their sad end in the alley dumpster.

There's always next year...

you can say that again!

Quotes from the DG Conference. (Pictures and biographies found here.)

N.D. Wilson:

"God cares about the world he created. How can you KNOW God without noticing his world?"

"Jesus likes noise. Jesus also likes balls and spheres. ...And exoskeletons."

"It's tremendous that he loves us at all."

Kevin DeYoung:

"The mission of the church must be broader than the things Angelina Jolie cares about."

Randy Alcorn:

"The life of ease is deadly to the development of Christ-like character."

Rick Warren:

"Some people are so open-minded their brains fall out."

"You only believe in the part of the Bible that you actually do."

R.C. Sproul:

"He's just a fig-newton of my imagination."

"With God there is no room for improvement.

His perfect being is what makes sense of this world."

Thabiti Anyabwile:

"A fearful heart undermines a faithful mind."

"There's a lot of animals in this verse, but it's not a petting zoo."

Francis Chan:

"I was like a little girl at a Hannah Montana concert."

"Wow! I can eat pepperoni pizza to the GLORY of GOD."

"Some of you could be brilliant and worthless."

[If you use your knowledge to tear down instead of building others up.]

"Why do you learn? Is it so you can LOVE better?"

desiring God conference 2010!

Bert and I experienced our first ever Desiring God conference this year (October 1-3).

We both enjoyed it a lot and were glad we made the investment to be present for one, rather than listening to the messages online. It was neat to be gathered with people from all over the nation and some other nations to worship, learn, and fellowship. Also, we got to hang out with Nachelle and Hannah, which was fantastic.

The conference topic was "Think: The Life of the Mind and the Love of God."

Highlights for me were actually from the seminar speakers, during the day on Friday.

My favorites were N.D. Wilson and Kevin DeYoung. (!!!)

I was also particularly challenged by Rick Warren's message on the battle for your mind, and Francis Chan's message about knowledge and loving others.

Any interest in listening to the conference messages can be satisfied here.

Here's the loot we came home with:

By the way...

I have already devoured 100 Cupboards by N.D. Wilson.

It's the first in his children's fantasy series.

Riveting and wonderful.

Sign me up for book two!

p.s.

Another post is coming with my favorite quotes from the conference! :)

the latest project...

Here are some shots from the past week around here...

Hopefully we will have many more productive weeks on the kitchen/dining room remodel project. Right now we are at a planning standstill. We are busy researching and making decisions about cabinets, organizing, materials etc. We are going to take this project one phase at a time, the first being cabinet-related.

Winter Chill, Here I Come!

That's right. I've already broken out my off-brand Cuddlee blanket.

I love it.

Complete with awkwardly-spaced arm holes and not-quite-thick enough fleece.

Though, with these temps, I won't be needing it for a while.

(There was a cold snap back in September, and that's when these pics were taken.)