In this “thirteen thoughts” post, I gather a variety of thoughts and details from the month of May to describe the little moments that make up my life. I have noticed it’s the little moments that give birth to the big moments, and I like to record them. Click here to read past “thirteen thoughts” blog posts.
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Feeling so much baby movement, thank you God! I’m hopeful this means great things for Josiah’s legs once he’s born. I’m now 31 weeks along with my pregnancy. Just this week I started noticing an increase in tenderness around my incision (sad!). Now more than ever, I must lean into by my doctor’s instructions for bed rest. My anticipation is very high for Josiah’s delivery, which will likely come in the next 3-5 weeks :) Oh, and this Friday I will be scheduling my c-section for the end of June.
Bookmarking “the best parks” to visit in Ann Arbor, MI. The weather is beautiful, and my family loves being outside together. We are missing our country home in Petoskey, but we are thankful for this temporary home and all the beautiful trees, bushes, and flowers planted around the city. It’s absolutely beautiful here!
Thinking about our final 2 weeks of homeschool lessons. This has been quite the year! When I started teaching my children, six years ago, I couldn’t have imagined the flexibility it would give our family. But it’s really been wonderful to be able to slow down when really big things come up. Just this year we have endured as a family a hard diagnosis, considered pros & cons of prenatal surgery, relocated our family for the surgery, made it through the prenatal surgery, and now are schooling together while I’m on bedrest (I’m teaching from a recliner in our living room). I know it will feel good for our entire family to celebrate finishing the 2022-2023 school year. I have a few things typed out for our summer school review, which includes English, math, handwriting, and Bible memory from the year (OT books, Psalms 1, Psalms 23, and the 10 Commandments).
Noticing the large stack of bed pillows (including a wedge pillow) I use each night to comfortably elevate myself. Every three hours I wake to use the bathroom and turn over (coincidence?), and for weeks now I’ve woken just a few minutes before my 3am alarm for my next dose of medicine. Our bodies are wonder-machines.
Smelling lilacs, lilacs, lilacs! There is an extremely large (and tall) lilac bush outside our front door. I love the vast amount of color it brings to our outside space.
Loving a recent visit with my best friends from home! We laughed until I _____ (fill in the blank), we had dinner out together, a nail polish party, lunch in the living room, froyo, church Sunday, and an early birthday celebration for Ashleigh. So much fun. I have missed my friends! I’m so glad they visited and all the joy they brought me & my family — not to mention all the generous housework they helped with!
Wondering what is blooming in our yard at home. I can anticipate seeing lily of the valley, lilacs, black-eyed susan, hydrangea, and rhododendron. These are all things to look forward to this summer, that is for sure!
Enjoying the secret of an anniversary gift that has arrived for Zack to open. On June 7th, we’ll celebrate 15 years of highs, lows, and the faithfulness of God. Together we’ve enjoyed moving nine times (across Michigan, Minnesota, and California); traveled to Tanzania, Africa with Compassion; lost a job x3; started two businesses; mentored engaged couples; and led Bible studies. We have been parents for 10 years and are preparing to welcome baby #5 in the next few weeks.
Wishing for a tall, cold glass of pulpy orange juice, but: heartburn.
Reading two really great books. One is called Private Lives of Pastor’s Wives (Ruth A. Tucker), and the second is Awaking Wonder (Sally Clarkson). Click here to see the books I’ve enjoyed in the past.
Cooking …nothing! Which is just crazy. I’ve chopped some veggies at the table and I’ve walked Zack through the steps of recipes, but I haven’t put together a meal since April 11th when I had my surgery.
Making time to worship God through song and Bible reading, to not be distracted as I sit with so much free time. Zack compared bed rest to staying home from school because you are sick. You suddenly have a lot of free time available, but you probably don’t feel like doing a whole lot… (Yep, that’s exactly it.)
Praying for continued peace as I wait out the remaining days of my pregnancy. I’m praying for Josiah to have continued success with his ventricles (that they remain the correct size; not enlarged), his hindbrain to continue to reposition into the correct shape, and for strong leg movements (hips down to feet) now through ALL his life post-birth. Please also pray for a calm birth experience; for Zack to continue carrying our family with meals, housework, child rearing, caring for me, and prioritizing his Spiritual life.
“Hope” is the thing with feathers –
That perches in the soul –
And sings the tune without the words –
And never stops – at all –– from “Hope is a Thing with Feathers” by Emily Dickinson
Look at that face! What a sweet one!
I’m so happy to read a post from you, Maggie. I’m also happy to hear that you have so much help and love in your life. And that you get to enjoy lilac season!!
Thank you, Katie. Feeling very blessed to not be walking through this alone, and also for knowing God goes before me. I need a lot of biblical encouragement to keep going.
Hi Maggie, I am especially loving the earth waking up around me, I am loving every minute of our little farm. Oh and never forget Coffe with Jesus on the sunporch as the rain falls so beautifully on the metal roof. I can’t wait till you can join me there. I am looking forward to a fin trip and then the countdown begins to meet precious Josiah. Praying and sending love every day! Mom W.
I’m very much looking forward to being on the porch with you AND OUR BABY this summer :)
Dear Maggie,
Your blog posts are always so life-giving! They make me smile. And you challenge me to look for blessings in the day-to-day, not just the BIG times when God knocks our socks off. I pray that God will sustain you, in these last weeks of pregnancy and bedrest. That He will continue the healing that has already begun in Josiah’s body. And that grace will abound in your home, even in the midst of unusual circumstances.
Thank you for praying for grace, that is an important addition and such a good reminder. And thank you for your kind comment :) Blessings to you, Tasha!