Bumpdate: 24 weeks

First, let's start with some non pregnancy related things.  I have finally figured out that 3rd grade is different than 4th grade.  The biggest difference?  The boys cannot keep their hands to themselves!!!!!! I know they are boys, but seriously, can't we walk down the hall once without someone stepping on the back of someone else's shoes or poking them.

The Broncos can't seem to pull it together the last few games.  I will not abandon my team, but it may be a very long season.  I think the real reason they are losing is because I don't have a Bronco shirt that fits my over my growing belly.  Feel free, fellow Denver fans to fix this problem! ;)

The Tuesday evening bible study that I lead started back up last Tuesday.  We are doing Beth Moore's James: Mercy Triumphs study.  So far it is awesome.  The most intimidating thing about it is that the study has 120+ women in it, and I am in charge.  Yikes!  God has been so great walking beside my in tackling this study.  He has blessed me with an awesome support system through our women's ministry and wonderful women to lead table groups.  I think God has some big plans in store for all of us and I know that He is already shaking up a few things in my life just in this first week.  I love the truth and depth to Beth Moore's studies.

I got an iphone 5.  Why you might ask, because my husband ordered it for me! Now he is jealous and wants one of his own.  He tried to take mine and leave me cell phoneless, but that didn't work out, so he now has to wait until October.

Now on to all things baby!  I know we want little Audrey to wait to make her arrival, but we have 3 of the essentials now.  Carseat, stroller, and pack and play (her nursery for now).  Our tiny house is slowly being taken over by baby stuff.  I can't imagine what it is going to be like after showers.  I better come up with an organization/storage system soon!

24 Weeks

How far along? 24 Weeks

Size of baby? Ear of Corn- she gained about 4 oz this last week--that would explain my need to eat more often!

Total weight gain? Holding steady at 12 pounds

Maternity Clothes? Maternity pants for sure,  some tops, but a lot of my "old" stretchy, loose dresses and tops. Occasionally I try to squeeze into some normal tops, but I am finding them too short and tight.

Sleep? Still can't complain, other than the massive leg cramp that happened (Luckily only once so far!)

Best moment of the week? Still loving feeling Audrey move more and more. Her movements are getting stronger!  Hearing her heartbeat at the Dr. on Wednesday.  She is holding strong at 150bpm and loves camping out on my lower right side.  Also, yesterday when Stinson began singing about Christmas coming and then about how Audrey will be here after Christmas all while unloading the dishwasher.

Miss anything? Bending over with ease. Shoes that fit without squeezing my feet.

Movement? Yes!  I think Stinson will be able to feel her this week.  I think he could have the other night, but he was sleeping, so he didn't want to move to see.

Cravings? Nothing major.  Last week I was dying for some chips and salsa, so of course I bought some!

Symptoms? Leg cramps- only once, heartburn has become a frequent visitor lately/

Belly button in or out? In

Wedding rings on or off? Thick band on, diamond off (it's too tight :(  )

Mood? Mostly normal, but cranky and grumpy watching the Broncos play the Texans yesterday.  Payton better pull it together or this pregnant lady might come unglued!

Looking forward to? Getting my new car next weekend!

New Car- but mine is blue, 99 Expedition Eddie Bauer Edition

Are you ready for some FOOTBALL?!

Well, school has begun and so has football.  Needless to say life in this Dean household is whirlwind.  This has been my first football season experience the full extent of what it means to be a football widow.  I think for Stinson and I it is even worse because of our classes and other things that we are involved in.  Time together has to be intential and unfortunately most of the time we spend together is spent catching a few zzzz's. 

So far after a few kinks thrown into the starting line up a week before the first game, MNU is 3-0.  They are looking great and Stinson's running backs look awesome!  He is loving every moment of coaching.  His guys are lucky to have him as their coach.  MNU faces the #2 team in the coutnry next week, Lindenwood, at home.  It will be a great test of hwere they are at.  Here are me and some of MNU friends hanging out at the game.  Oh yeah, I dyed my hair brown, just in case you can't tell which one I am.

Janae and I

All of the Girls

Last weekend I spent my entire day watching football.  I went to all three boys games and had such a blast.  I just love these precious things.  They all played so well.  I got to have dinner/lunch with them on Sunday too.  I don't have the words to describe how much I love them!  Enjoy these pictures!  (This day was 100% football.  I went to 3 little league games and 1 MNU game, it was quite the day!)

Andy's Game Face

My Bud Andy and I

The Really Cool 7th Grader and I

Adorable Carson!



So with all of me "extra time" I have been leading my mother-in-laws bible study Live a Praying Life.  We are two weeks in, and already it has been amazing.  She really puts a whole new perspective on prayer.  One of my favorite things she written so far comes from the end of week one's study.  She is talking about finding a new purpose of prayer when she shares this verse and says, "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws." (Ezkiel 36:26-27) Before I desired such a thing, God had make it available.  He had already promised to reproduce His heart in me, shaping my desires to match His.  He promised to take my  self-centered heart and fasten it on Him.  And He who worked in my until I desired to reciece what he desired to give."

My heart fills with joy just typing those words.  It is so awesome to know that God has already arranged everything so that I can have this.  That He would take my heart of stone and soften it and fill it with Himself. I am already excited about the changes in my attitude towards prayer and the way I have been praying.  I will keep you updated on how things are going.

The dogs are doing great.  I am so glad that I have them to keep me company and to keep me enterained on all my nights home alone.  They are so much fun and Mia is so entertaining.  She loved to play and I could watch her bounce around for hours.  Jake is huge, but so cute!  He has the sweetest face that melts your heart and make you want to give him everythign he wants!  Maggie is doing good and is always waiting at the door to great you when you come home.  She love to have her belly rubbed first thing!  Here is how I found Maggie and Mia one morning.

 School is going awesome.  I love my class.  There are a few challenges, but in general, I think that they are my best class yet.  I know that I am better as a teacher this year and I am so excited to try a few things out this year that I started last year.  Friday and Saturday I was at workshop called Picture Perfect Science.   It was such a wonderful two days and I cannot wait to go back and beef up my science instruction.  It was exactly what I was looking for!

I think that is all for now.  If you live near by or need to come visit, I would love some company.  I have lots of alone time, so don't feel like you're imposing!

Praying for Grace

So recently God has called me to help co-lead a bible study at church...... at first I was excited, then I was nervous, and now I praying for huge amount of grace and courage.  The last few month I have had the opportunity to grow in the Lord with some amazing women, and I have seen God begin to really work on the deeper issues of  my heart.  The leader of my study recently approached me and said she felt that God was prompting her to ask me about co-leading the study with her.  After several weeks of prayer, I felt the Lord calling me out of my comfort zone to step up to the challenge.

We will be working through Max Lucado's Fearless study.  After meeting tonight I am excited, but also nervous.  I know that in embracing the co-leader role I am going to be stepping out meeting more people and really opening myself up.  I know that God will give me the grace I need to fulfill what He has called me to do, but the anticipation of it beginning seems to be pressing on my shoulders.

Through this study I can feel that God is going to bless me with new friendships, as well as to take my relationship with him to a new level.  If you think of me, would you say a few prayers that I am open to God's voice and His plan for this study?!  I know I am going to need all of the prayers I can get.

Believing God with a Pumpkin Spice Latte in Hand

A couple of weeks ago I shared that I was joining a women's bible study with the hopes of making new friends and drawing closer to God.  I am stoked to say that both of those things are happening!  So far, the "Believing  God" study by Beth Moore has been so amazing!  It is really opening my eyes to a new way of viewing my faith and what it is that delights God.  My biggest revelation so far has been that what causes righteousness to be bestowed upon me.  It is not the WORKS that I do, but the amount of FAITH I put in God.  It is about believing God is who He says He is, that He can do what He says He can do, and that I am who He says I am.  God has been showing me that my "good works" are not necessarily bad, but the fact is they will not change anything or do anything to draw me deeper into my walk unless I actually BELIEVING GOD!   I am still in the process of fully wrapping my head around this one.

In addition to drawing me deeper in my walk, this study has enable me to begin building a few new relationships.  Nothing major to report like a new close friends, but I can see some great relationships beginning to bud.

Now it is time for the pumpkin spice latte part of the post.  I just know that God created this drink to comfort my soul!  I love to drink one while diving into His word and my bible study, or to start my morning off on the way to fun-filled day of teaching.  I know a pumpkin spice latte will also be my companion to many MNU football games this fall.

If you love pumpkin spice lattes, then I know you love blogs, and that means you may be looking for a new design, which means you need to check out one of my best friend Courtney's blog!  She is giving away a blog design by her sister (who designed this blog).  Check out Jenn's designs by clicking here.