Politics

So, the North Carolina amendment vote is coming up, one that would define marriage in the state constitution as between one man and one woman, and would ban any other type of "domestic legal union" such as civil unions and domestic partnerships.  Gay marriage is already illegal in North Carolina, but this would make it unconstitutional as well. 

As a follower of Jesus, I turn to the Bible as God's instructions to us.  It's quite clear on homosexuality: Leviticus 18:22 - "Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable."
1 Corinthians 6:9-10 - "Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God."

I've had several friends who are gay.  I love them no less than I do any other friend.  I treat them as equal and would stand up for them if I knew they were being harrassed or bullied.  But I cannot support their lifestyle, due to my convictions.  That does NOT mean that I am out there telling them that they are wrong and going to Hell.  Who am I to deliver such judgement?  But God tells us clearly that homosexuality is not something to be supported. 

Many people are trying to make this amendment to not be about homosexuality.  They say it's more about protecting the rights of heterosexual couples who have legal unions, who live together but are not married.  Since sex before marriage is defined by the Bible as "sexual immorality" and is also not something to be supported, this doesn't change my position. 

Other people say that this amendment would stop protection of domestic violence victims.  I've read the proposed amendment, done some research and do not see how this is true.  Besides, while the protection of victims of domestic violence is a very worthy cause, if it is tied in to supporting homosexuality and sexual immorality, I still can't support it.  Putting makeup on a pig does not change what the pig is.

Jellybean, I do not envy you for the world you and your generation will inherit.  It's sad where things are going, and a little scary at times.  Your daddy and I promise to do our best to be there to help guide you and to answer your questions, and we will always try to point you to your heavenly Father. 

Visitor!

We are hosting our first weekend visitor since you came along, Jellybean!  Our friend Scott, from Charlotte, is coming to town.  We'll have a game night tonight, a cookout and movie tomorrow, and church and lunch on Sunday.  I'm hopeful that I won't be obviously sick this weekend, so that there's nothing to suspect. 

SeaBands have been doing a great job of keeping me feeling ok.  The week I was so sick, I couldn't wear them because I had poison ivy on my wrist, but I started again a few days ago and have felt much better.

Lazy Week

Of my three and a half weeks of track out, this week is my laziest.  I have planned close to nothing, and done about the same.  A big part of that is the fact that I am so, so sick all the time.  For a week now, I've only felt okay when I'm sleeping.  I'm really thankful to be tracked out, because I don't know how I would make it if I was working and feeling like this. 

I manage to get one or two little things done each day.  Yesterday, I cleaned the kitchen and did laundry.  Today, I'm going to vacuum and either hang our art or replant my blueberry bushes.

Jared is recovering from his whirlwind weekend in Texas.  He enjoyed it and learned a lot, met a lot of people...but he's never worked like this before.  All his previous jobs have been commission based, and he never had to put in a 40-hour work week.  He did earn overtime for his work this weekend, but that puts him at 40 hours last week, another 30 hours from Friday to Sunday, and 40 hours again this week.  He is some kind of tired!  He probably needs a lazy week, too. 

15 days until we start telling people our news!  It's been hard lately, because I really want to moan about how much I'm hurting, but can't.

More Than Pregnant

I was hoping this blog would be more than a way to keep up with our pregnancy.  I did LiveJournal pretty religiously for about five years, and have been missing an outlet, somewhere to journal our lives and thoughts.  I want to talk about things like our new house, Jared's new job, our church, things we are learning in our Bible study, etc.  So, hopefully I can stick to that and update with more than just pregnancy stuff.

For instance, Jared's been in Texas for a three-day work conference.  His company decided he was perfect to send to this annual convention, since he was new.  He's gotten to meet a lot of people he'll be doing business with over phone and e-mail.  And he's gotten to familiarize himself with the electrical products that ABB sells.  He comes home late tonight, and goes right back into the office tomorrow.  I know he's probably exhausted, but he seems satisfied, too.

I can't seem to keep pregnancy TOTALLY out of the post, so I'll just say that "morning" sickness has been kicking my butt for the last two days!  I feel awful whether I eat or not.  I don't seem to have cravings--just lots and lots of aversions.  I'm ready to feel better!

Our Third Month

Today is our last day of the second month, Jellybean!  Books say you're graduating from "embryo" to "fetus", but Jared and I don't think in those terms--you're our baby, no matter how small you are.  This coming week, you'll be about 1 inch long and your tiny muscles are starting to form.  You'll get to start moving those arms and legs!  We love you very much.

I'm still using the bathroom a hilariously high number of times a day (and night), and I've gone up three bra sizes so far (I was already plenty big enough, it's starting to look silly).  I am tired a lot and and have been falling asleep in our church's small group, work meetings, movies, etc.  And morning sickness still knocks on my door every day, but I feel like the foods I eat and the way I nibble through the day are helping me deal effectively with it. 

Next big date: telling the family!  A little less than three weeks before the announcements start!

First Prenatal Appointment

Jellybean, someone goofed in the office and scheduled us for two weeks early.  Consequently, I didn't get to hear your little heart beat today.  I'll go in (hopefully with Jared this time) in four weeks where we'll hear the heartbeat and get bloodwork to check if you have Downs syndrome, etc. 

Lots of questions today, both from the doctor and from me.  Our doctor was very informative and helpful with the questions I had, and she seemed pleased with the answers I gave to her questions.  Since your mommy is on the heavy side, I'm only supposed to gain 15-18 pounds during pregnancy.  I've gained 1.5 in the two months so far.  I was poked and prodded, and hopefully all the tests that were run today will come back normal.  All in all, it felt almost like a normal doctor's visit, although I really wish I could've heard that heart beat!

Eighth Week

Today I start my eighth week of pregnancy.  It seems to be going so slowly, but I'm pretty sure that's because we're not telling anyone for almost four more weeks.

Jellybean, you've been stingy with the morning sickness recently, which I appreciate.  I'm not enjoying it, but I can manage through it most of the time.  Other than that, my breasts hurt all the time and I have a hard time staying warm, and I smell stuff that seems impossibly small or far away.  No heartburn, no cravings.

Books that I've read say that Jellybean is 10,000 times bigger now than at conception.  S/He is about half an inch long this week--ready to outgrow his/her name! 

Two more days of work, and then we have our first appointment on Wednesday!

Fighting Back

I did some research and went to the grocery store for the following: ginger snaps, gingerale, crystalized ginger, rice cakes, lemons, lemonade, and pretzels.  All of these things are supposed to help with my morning sickness.  I can tell a difference so far, using the gingerale, lemons and rice cakes.  I was wearing Sea Bands for a few days, but my wrist is itchy and looks red and puffy today. 

Two of my coworkers are pressuring me about a possible pregnancy.  I continue to tell them I'm just tired, my stomach is upset, and when there's news to share, I'll make sure they know.  I'm pretty sure they've figured it out, though!

Jellybean, we have 6 days until our first doctor's appointment together!

Hello, Morning Sickness!

I'm back from Alabama and back at work.  But today was the hardest Monday I've had in a while.  On Sunday, the first day of my seventh week, morning sickness reared its ugly head.  I've been sick 5 times in 2 days, and spent both days--minus a few hours each evening--feeling incredibly nauseous and weak.  I immediately went and bought Sea Bands, and they seem to help a little, but I'd love to find something that will take it away completely!  It's miserable.  And I can't garner any sympathy from anyone, since we haven't told anyone yet.  At least our Track Out is coming up.  Six more days of work, and then we're out for three and a half weeks! 

Alabama

I'm posting from Wetumpka, Alabama today--my first trip while pregnant.  I rode down yesterday with my parents and brother, through two lightning storms and three hail storms.  My mother's side of the family has an annual Easter reunion that we try to make each year. 

Her father, my grandaddy, passed away last December, and my mimi was moved up to Birmingham for assisted care.  The house they have lived in is now vacant, and my brother and I have been exploring and uncovering some interesting things.  Here are some favorites:

a WWII gas mask
a police department finger printing kit
all sorts of currency from Israel
nitroglycerine pills from about 20 years ago
all sorts of ammunition--from pistols to shotguns to crossbows

We're sorting through a lot of papers and pictures, and doing a lot of landscaping....trying to keep the property looking well and eventually getting it ready to sell.  This may be the last time I come down to Wetumpka--there's really nothing left here for me, since Mimi has been moved up to Birmingham, and that's also where my uncle and his family live.

Beat Goes On

Yesterday was Jared's first day at his new job.  He's enjoying it so far--helpful co-workers, a relaxed atmosphere, etc.  We hope this will be a long-term place for him! 

My job is going ok, too.  Administration and I have spoken about next year's possibilities, so I'll be waiting to see where that goes.  My students will have an Easter egg hunt on Thursday--I think we have close to 375 eggs to share amongst the 20 of them.  I won't be there, though....I'm taking the day off to travel to Alabama with my family.  My mother's side of the family gets together for an Easter reunion every year.  It'll be hard to be there around everyone and not say anything about Jellybean. 

I have both grandmothers left in this world, but they both have developed dementia.  One doesn't know me from a rabbit, the other calls me everything from Bethany to Maribell to trying to order lunch from me.  It makes me a little sad that, even if they live long enough to be great-grandmothers (for the sixth time, in one of the cases, the first in the other), that they won't understand or comprehend it, and will not be able to develop a relationship with their great-grandchild. 

On the other side of the coin, Jared's grandmother is quick-witted, smart-mouthed, has at least one glass of wine a day and Wednesdays are naked days.  Mmhm.

Name Game

It's still 2.5 weeks until my first prenatal appointment, but Jared and I have wasted no time jumping on the name game.  We have a slew that we are considering.  Here are some first names that both of us like:

Avery, Riley, Aidan
Faith, Katherine

Here are some of his favorites:

Colin, Atreyu, Joshua, Daniel
Vivian, Rebecca, Michelle, Skye

And here are some of mine:

Henry, David, Wesley, Sean
Sophia, Joanna