Jars of Clay

I am currently involved in a Bible Study called BSF (Bible Study Fellowship.)  This Bible Study runs from September to May.  I greatly look forward to this time every Wednesday morning.  We have been studying the book of Acts, along with several of Paul's epistles which he wrote on his missionary journeys.  This very in-depth study has challenged me in so many ways.  We are currently studying through 2 Corinthians, which is a letter that Paul wrote to the church in Corinth.  During the lecture last week, our teacher brought a new aspect to a set of verses in chapter 4.  I love this picture that she described, and so I thought I would share it.

"For God, who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.  But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.  We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed."        (2 Corinthians 4:6-8)

I have read this passage many times, and I have always known that "jars of clay" refer to our bodies.  Kirsten, our teacher, reiterated the fact this week that it is what we carry around in our lives/bodies that is the true treasure.  The first verse (v. 6) shares the promise that we carry around.....that God has made His light shine in us.  The verses then go on to say that although we face many hardships, we are not destroyed.  But, what I especially loved is when Kirsten mentioned that sometimes clay jars get cracked.  Cracks are painful, ugly, and frustrating, but these cracks allow some of what is inside to spill out.  Essentially, she was making the point that sometimes God has to "crack" us and "break" us in order to allow God's light and glory to spill out into the lives of others.  I think we can all think of times when we have dealt with a hard situation and God has placed just the right person who has also been "cracked" with a similar situation to encourage us.  God used that person to shine light into our lives throughout that difficulty.  I just think this is a beautiful picture.  Oftentimes, I get frustrated when I am "cracked" and the focus easily turns to myself...my hardship....my feelings....etc.  Instead, I think God wants us to use these "cracks" to let His light shine into others.  Instead, I should look for ways to share what I am going through in order to encourage others.

Our God is so big, and I am constantly amazed at how He intertwines the lives of His children so perfectly to meet our every need.  It is like He works to biggest, most complex brain teaser or sudoku puzzle that we could ever imagine....but even more complicated that what we can conjure up.  I am thankful for such a BIG God who can use even our "cracks" for His glory!

36 Weeks....

I can't believe it!  Baby G #2's due date is just 4 weeks from today.  For some reason, I keep thinking that he will make his appearance 11 days early just like Little R did.  That means 2 1/2 weeks from now.....woah!  But, who knows when he will decide to come.  I was thinking about this today and how in Psalm 139 it says, "All the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be."  How awesome to know that God has the perfect birthday picked our for baby boy (even if it is February 29....leap day....but I hope it isn't).  I was also thinking today about my many friends who have scheduled c-sections.  In a way, I am envious that they are able to plan their delivery, make plans for someone to take care of their other child/children, etc.  But, in a way, I love that this "mystery birthday" is unknown to me.  It makes everything more fun and exciting.  The main concern I have is how everything will work out as far as someone taking care of Little R.  It is difficult to set a firm plan since we have no idea when I will go into labor.  I have had to just let go of my worries and trust that everything will work out in God's perfect timing and way.  He will take care of those details, and we are so blessed to have family in town to take care of Little R for us.  (I guess I should pack a hospital bag soon, though!)

We finally have the baby's nursery set up (for the most part.)  We were able to borrow a crib from my cousin, a changing table that was my sisters when she was a baby, and G-Pa and GiGi got Baby G #2 a chest of drawers for Christmas.  We are still working on the whole rocking chair situation, but we think we have figured it out.  (We still want some type of rocking chair/chair in little R's room since we read to him in there alot!)  I will post some nursery pictures soon.

As far as me and the baby are concerned, we are doing well.  The baby is moving and kicking and rolling like crazy.  He is not very active in the mornings and early afternoon but is very active in the evenings and all through the night.  I am starting to think he may have his days and nights mixed up. We shall see.  I have no idea how big this baby will be, but I am guessing he is average.  I measure "on the dot" (so they say) at all of my appointments, and at my 20 week ultrasound, he was in the 45% for size.  Physically, I am feeling pretty good.  I definitely get tired more easily and am trying to rest more while Reives naps.  I am sleeping fairly well with my 5 pillows positioned "just so!"  I know Trey will be glad when I don't sleep with all of these pillows anymore.

Here is a 36 week picture:

17 Months and Valentine's Day

On Saturday, Reives turned 17 months old!!  I cannot believe how much of a "big boy" he is becoming.  I also cannot believe that in a month or so, he will be a big brother!!  Little R is at such a fun age right now.  His vocabulary is constantly increasing, and he keeps us very entertained by his funny dance moves and gestures.  He loves to listen to music, dance, and read books.  He also loves to sit in his little, red chair and watch Baby Einstein movies.  I obviously do not let him do this that often, but if I ask him if he wants to watch a movie (a 23 minute one set to Mozart and Beethoven), he heads straight for his red chair with a huge smile. (I confess that the pictures below were taken during a Baby Einstein DVD because that was the only way I could get him still.)  Little R is an active, little thing.  He is not hyper but just busy.  He is shy in new places and with new people, but once he warms up to someone, he is super sweet and cuddly.  He loves to blow kisses and give big, juicy kisses.  He seems to really like his little friend, Cali, that I keep one day every week.  When they see each other they scream, smile, and touch their heads together as if hugging.  It is so cute.  Even though they fight (he hits and pushes, she tries to bite) when playing at times, they are such good little buddies.

Here are some other things going on with Little R:

-has added the following to his vocabulary: "tchi" (Chip), "susine" (sunshine), "fife" (five...when we count), "keekee" (cookie), "teetee" (teetee :) ), "poopoo" (poopoo)
-Little R has gone from LOVING his baths to hating them.  He got in a habit of going "poopoo" in the bathtub several times a week.  We never got on to him or made a big deal out of it, but it was always kind of frantic trying to get him out of the tub before he picked it up or stepped on it, and he would always get so mad because he was not ready to get out.  Now, as soon as we put him in the tub, he whines and refuses to sit down.  As soon as we get him out, he turns around, looks in the tub and says "poopoo."  I guess he is afraid he is going to poopoo in the tub.  Poor little guy!  I hope this is a short lived phase :(
-Little R loves foods with a lot of flavor.  He is not too keen on plain meat anymore, but loves meat when it is in sauces, soups, or casseroles.  His favorite flavor seems to be tomato based stuff.  So, I add tons of veggies to the sauce when I make spaghetti, and he eats it all up!
-His bottom molars should be through any day now.  They have taken forever to come in, and I can feel them just under the gum.  After these, only 8 more teeth to go :)
-He just had his 3rd "hair trim." I refuse to get it cut short because I like his wild, curly hair!!!
-Little R is not afraid to call us out if we forget to say the blessing.  Twice now, when I have forgotten to bless our lunch, Little R has done the sign language for Jesus and then clasped his hands to pray.  Smart little boy!  It is so sweet that he wants to say the blessing!!

Here are some pictures from Valentine's Day, a few days after Little R turned 17 months:

 Quite the stud

Happy Valentine's Day :)

Shower Time

Three of my very sweet friends threw me and Baby G #2 a baby shower this past weekend.  They had it in a great "shower" room at our church, and it was so special to have some of my friends and family there to celebrate this new little baby boy that is about to arrive.  It was kind of weird having a "boy themed" shower, since all of Little R's showers were "gender neutral."  I loved all of the blue and having plates that said "It's a Boy!"  Exciting stuff:)  Trey was excited about the many packs of diapers we received!  We also received some clothes, changing table supplies, dirty clothes hamper, burp cloths, gift cards, and even a little cash (among some other things.)

Here are some pictures from this lovely shower:

 Me and the hostesses (Jenny, Rebekah, and Liz)

 The yummy spread :)

Trey and I are so blessed to have such wonderful friends!  We are so thankful for the gifts we received for Baby G #2, and we cannot wait to use them once he gets here :)

The BIG Announcement :)

So, this announcement is long overdue, but back in December, we had a big thing happen in our family.  We bought a minivan.....AND WE LOVE IT!!!!!  Yes, I feel old and dorky, but it is so worth the space, comfort, and practicality.  Trey finally got rid of his car from high school, a two door Ford Explorer Sport.  I am not sure Trey is very pumped about having to drive the Toyota Corolla around, but hey....he is taking one for the team here.  Little R loves the van, and I am sure Baby G #2 will too.  This mama sure does.  

Hello, Honda Odyssey....we sure are glad to have you as a part of the Glendye family!  

The Big 6-0!!!

Happy 60th Birthday to Trey's dad!  We had so much fun celebrating G-Pa's 60th birthday last weekend at "The Farm."  All of the Glendye family had secretly planned to meet up at the farm on Sunday to surprise Trey's dad.  He had no clue we were all coming and was actually pretty bummed out because he thought no one was coming to visit him on his 60th birthday!  So, he was so surprised and excited when everyone showed up on Sunday!  We had an oyster roast for lunch, the guys (and Allyce) went quail hunting, and then we celebrated with a delicious dinner and cake.

 Oyster Roast Time

 Adam and Allyce

 Chowing down on oysters

 Gorgeous day at "The Farm"

 The horseshoe pit makes a great sandbox :)

 Watching the dogs...

 Uncle Adam and Little R

 Look at me....

 Howdy

 Birthday dinner

Our family of 3...soon to be 4!

 LOVE this one!

Little R checking out G-Pa's fish