Patience has never been one of my strong points, although I feel I have grown in this area in the past year. You know how it is...you feel like you've started to really gain some ground in an area of character when it suddenly gets tested in a whole new way. Well, that's what I'm feeling right about now. Obviously, the biggest thing I'm waiting for is to MEET OUR BABY GIRL!! Can't wait....she could literally be here anytime. I'm trying hard not to be obsessed. :) Not only am I so excited to see her and hold her...but the selfish ME part of me cannot wait to lose my baby belly. It has been very difficult to sleep in the past few weeks, as well as a lot of contractions and back pain. I know, it's all worth it...but I can't wait for the day when I can bend over to tie my shoes without feeling like I'm going to pop like a balloon or climb a flight of stairs without feeling like I've had a lung collapse.
There are other things I am honestly growing a little tired of waiting for. Gav has been up to his ears in schoolwork, internship, crazy hours, and work for the past couple of years. As I sit and type this, he has papers spread all over the place studying for his finals this week. Poor boy. I am SO ready for a break for him (and for me so I can spend time with my hunnie!). Bless his heart, he has done such a wonderful job...he really has. His attitude has been great and he's really good about taking even a few minutes out of his busy day to spend with me so that I don't go crazy missing him. I'm ready for him to be completely done, but a break will help me keep my sanity long enough for him to finish the next semester. I totally can't wait for him to be on Christmas break....we are hoping that Addie Kate times her arrival around the time of Daddy's break so that we can have a couple of weeks together as a little family without Gav having to worry about work or school. Ahhh...that would be so nice! Gav got approved to take off at least 2 weeks of paid FMLA when I have the baby...we are so thankful for this, especially considering it is nearing the holidays and many people have a hard time getting off work during this time. Gav's last final is this Wednesday...crossing my fingers that Baby Girl will come right around that time. :)
Another waiting thing would be a little more long term. After Gav graduates, we are still unsure about what direction to take with his job. We have the option of him taking more classes to get a couple more certifications. He could continue education and try to eventually get his Master's. He could also look for a job in the nuclear field which may require us to move (depending on openings). He could stick with law enforcement for a while and wait on the nuke job while we scope out our options. Just a lot of things. To be honest, I haven't thought or worried about it too much because I know that God has a plan for our family and that no matter what, His plan for us will be a good one and He will take care of us. But like anyone, it's hard not to wonder about the future. We've been praying about it a lot. If you think of it, please pray for us for direction in the next year concerning Gavin's career. We want to make sure we follow God's will for our lives and our little family. Please also pray for peace for Gavin as the head of our family...that he wouldn't carry too much stress on his shoulders and be able to get some rest over his holiday break.
In the meantime, I can say that I have been getting a lot done around the house. Still have a few more things on my list to do, but lots of things are crossed off....I love that feeling! Yesterday I actually packed my bag for the hospital. That is so weird to think that Addelyn could be here anytime! At my doctor's appointment this past week, the doctor said she had definitely dropped and was started to make her descent into the pelvic region (she has been head-down for a few weeks now). It's a nice change to be able to breathe and eat!
This past week I also had lunch with my wonderful bosses (Dr. Kristi and her husband Jim) to talk about maternity leave. I have some vacation/personal time to use before the end of the year, so even if Little Miss doesn't make her appearance this week, this week will be my last week of work this year. After she is born, I will be taking six weeks of maternity leave, but when I come back to work I will only be coming back part time. I am really excited about this!! We have prayed about it and weighed our options quite a bit in the past few months and feel that this is the right decision for our family. My mom will be watching Addelyn three days a week (Mon - Wed - Fri) and I will stay home with her on Tuesdays and Thursdays. It will not only save us a lot of money in child care (most places would charge us for a full week just to watch her on Tues & Thurs), but also give me more time with my sweet baby girl! I think it will also help with our adjustment as parents. After his break, Gav will go back to full time school along with working night shift until classes end in May. Since I will be on my own for night feedings, changing, etc, it will be nice to have a couple of days off each week. I am thankful to my employers for being so supportive and understanding. I really do have great bosses and coworkers! They even threw me a little shower last week and gave us some cute little outfits, a basket full of awesome toys, and a "Peanut Shell"....its a cute little sling baby carrier! I can't wait to use it.
Another little prayer request...pray for wisdom for Gav and I financially as our income will shrink with me going to part time as well as insurance premiums going up since we will now be on a family plan. Ultimately, God will provide, he has never left us hanging! What a great God we serve! We have so much to be thankful for. So much.
That's about all for now...I am itching to get a few more things done around the house, which means I should probably get off the computer. :) Hopefully within the next few weeks I will be posting pictures of our little daughter!
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