How I told him.

Well, my friend @MrsPRD wrote a blog awhile back about how she told her husband the good news about being pregnant, and said she loved hearing other women's stories about how they told their husbands, so this is what I did.

Well, Marcos and I had been trying to get pregnant for about 6 months, so pregnancy tests were not a stranger in our house. I was driving home from school one day, feeling exhausted and I had been very emotional that whole week (I just didn't feel like myself). So I decided to stop at Super Target for a pregnancy test (The cheap, Target brand of course.) I got home, took the test, and saw a VERY faint line... but anytime I had taken this kind of test, there was never any kind of line. So right away I was like, "Oh my gosh, is this real? I don't believe it." 

So I went to Wal Mart right after that to purchase the more expensive brand. Got home, took the test, and there was another line. Marcos was still not home yet but I didn't want to just tell him, I wanted to do something special, so I went that whole night knowing, without even telling my husband. It was torture!

The next morning after Marcos left for work, I took the other test (#3) and when that one also read positive, I went to Target to buy a little bib that said "I love Daddy" and a Clear Blue test that Marcos could easily understand if I showed him. I got the bib in Blue because I figured that's a little more neutral than pink. Okay, so I ended up taking like 5 tests before I even told my husband... but I just still couldn't believe it!

So when Marcos got home, I gave him a little bag and said,"Here honey, I got you something today because it was on sale". He began opening the bag and I kept giggling and he kept looking at me and saying "What is wrong with you?" 

Then he pulled out the bib and the test that clearly said, "Pregnant" and looked at me in disbelief and said, "You're pregnant?!" (He had no idea what was coming since I had already told him a little white lie and said that I started my period already.) Of course he was just as excited as me but we still could not believe that we had made a baby!

So that's the story! We also bought bibs that said, "I love Grandma & Grandpa" to surprise both our parents with. Of course, both of your moms cried! But we are all so very excited.

I am currently 12 weeks and just now starting to feel morning sickness. I went almost the whole first trimester without it, but it's hitting me now. But I am so blessed to have this baby growing inside of me and I wouldn't change the experience for the world! 

Two weeks ago we got to see our baby swimming around on the sonogram screen and got to hear the little heart beat. Our next appointment is in two weeks.

Real Strength.

It's amazing how much we can learn about Jesus through other people. Yes, I read my bible and study God's word, but I'm also a very visual person; so when I see someone actually walking the walk instead of just talking the talk, I can actually see Jesus in person. 

It's funny that I have been married to Marcos for almost two years now, and I still have yet to see an ounce of arrogance in him. This is not to say that he is perfect, but in the ways that I am lacking... he seems to balance me and remind me of the things that Jesus would do. 

Marcos is a very humble man, and let me tell you... in the world we live in today, it takes a strong man to be a humble person. 

I admire my husband and I know God is real, not just by my faith and because of what I read, but because I see him living through my husband and our marriage. 

For that, I am so thankful and I am so excited for our future children to have a Dad like Marcos to look up to-- someone who treats people with respect and kindness, and who can overlook the bad to find the good in anyone. I couldn't have asked for a better man.

"Pride leads to disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom." - Proverbs 11:2

Goodbye Spring Break..

...Hello, last quarter of college!

 Well, I had a great time with Amber while she was out in California. But the week went by so fast! It was nice to just hang out like old times. Marcos and I had different Spring Breaks this year so he had to work the whole week but we did get to spend one day together in Long Beach with Amber.

 We went to the Long Beach Aquarium, which we had never been to and it was pretty fun. I know the teacher side of Marcos loved learning about all those fish! Then we got to see my friend Michele, and we took Marcos to a Mediterranean Grill which was so delicious. I had been there a couple of times before with Michele but always wanted to take Marcos because that is so his kind of thing... and he made me eat baba ghanouj for the first time! (It's like Hummus, but made with eggplant instead, i guess?)

It was nice to have a little vacation before I start my last quarter. I miss Amber already but I'm so happy she came out to visit. I am so thankful for the friends in my life... even if some of them are scattered all over the place! 

Real wisdom. Real truth.

The Bible says, "Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy one results in understanding". Proverbs 9:10

This verse stands out to me this morning because I can say for myself that I did not know how to make truly wise decisions until I learned to fear the Lord. Yeah, I probably made some good decisions based on chance, but never truly wise until I knew my Heavenly father who brings complete truth into my life. 

I gave my life completely to Jesus about 6 years ago. I look at my life today and know without a doubt, that where I am is not because of my own successes or my own personal doing, but because I realized I could not live a purposeful and meaningful life without Jesus' hand guiding me through important decisions that came my way. 

Before I began to fear the Lord, I was like a little child, lost and looking for my Heavenly father to take my hand and walk me across the busy streets of life. Even a fifty year old man with years of education and experience is like a lost little child without the Lord. 

Life will continue to hand me big decisions, good times, bad times, surprises both enjoyed and despised, but I fear a Lord who is the same yesterday, today and forever. He will not change or leave my side. His word remains as it always has, and saturates my heart. He is in my marriage, my family, my daily life... and for that, I am blessed. I want to seek real wisdom as my life matures. It can't be found on television or in the riches of this world, but in that book of life that sits next to by bed each night. 

I believe it is impossible to be truly wise without fearing the Lord, and I am eager to gain more wisdom today.

Oikos.

"And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?" Matthew 5:47

Let's not forget the people beyond our Christian circles. Who are we inviting to church or into our homes this week that may not be believers? 

By the way...

I got an A- on my ethics speech... wow! I was so nervous about it. And it was amazing to see how many other Christians were in the class that I wasn't even aware of! It was a great experience but I'm so glad that class is over!! Thank you Jesus for getting me through that one!

I'll admit it.

I've been keeping up with American Idol this season (somehow) .... and my favorite is Megan. Yeah she does those weird little dance moves but her voice is unique. But there is something about Anoop that I really like too... wow, this show has been around forever... and I can't believe I still love it.