Today our baby is 9 weeks along. Hello 3rd month. Only, hopefully, one month of morning sickness to go! I'm trying my best to get a picture of my belly at the end of each month...here is Month #2:



I'm so excited for our family to grow!

Last night, i went to a mommy's bible study group. We've been a group for over a year now. This group of women mean so much to me! Each one is so different yet have encouraged me in more ways than they each know. We're kicking the bible study off with the book "Calm my anxious heart" by Linda Dillow. Fantastic book! The book is takes you on a true and lasting journey to contentment. I have realized that in this materialized and selfish world that being content is very rare. I am at fault for that. I am learning how to be content with how God made me and that He made me the way that i am for a purpose...and that that purpose is beautiful. Also, it talks about being content in your roles. Let's face it, as women, wives, and moms we wear many many many roles.
"what we are on the inside, what we continually think about, eventually shows in our words, actions, and even our countenances." That is so true. I have let certain thoughts completely take over me. It's fine to have dreams and thoughts, but we have to learn how to take control of those thoughts and not vice versus.
The book of Philipians is probably one of my favorite books of the Bible. Since i have been married and more so since i have been a mom, chapter 4 has been forever etched in my heart.
(Phil. 4:6-9 MSG)
6-7Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.

8-9Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies."

I wish i could have that mindset everyday..every minute.

True contentment is a peace separated from our circumstances. "Most of us base our contentment on our circumstances, on our feelings, or on other people. However, true contentment is separate from our circumstances. Contentment is a state of the heart, not a state of affairs."

This i got just from the first chapter. I'm excited to keep reading and learning. I think personally one of the best ways to start on the journey to contentment is to just be THANKFUL. List the things that are blessing/gifts to you. From family to your house to electricity. There are so many things we can be thankful for!

Thankful Thursday is tomorrow, but i want to go ahead and do mine today...in case i don't have time...or well, the energy to. haha.

~I am thankful for rainy days at home - james and i played "movie theatre" for lunch.
~i am thankful for my manly husband
~thankful for an ever joyful little two year old
~i am thankful that i get to teach James things...and see the results of him learning - talking, recognizing letters and numbers, colors.
~So thankful that i am pregnant again with a little bundle
~for our home that has heat
~my parents...just thinking about them makes me so happy that i was theirs
~For God's grace...which i need everyday!
~and for my women's group

Have a Thankful Day!