Popcorn

Yesterday, Noah and I were hanging out around the house, being sick.  (It has been like that all week.)  And I felt a pop in my belly.  I just thought my stomach was reacting to the juice I had just drank.  But then it happened again.  And I realized, that's the baby kicking!  I told Noah to run over here, so he could feel the belly.  But Zelda beat him to it and practically jumped on my belly.  (She always wants to know what's going on with the belly.  It has now become her "pillow".)  It was really cool and I am so glad that Noah was there to witness it with me for the first time.  I really hoped that I could share that with him.  Even now, as I am writing this, I can feel popcorn going off in my tummy.  It is a very strange, but comforting feeling!

Rescue

This is one of my favorite songs that I am listening to.  I thought I would share the lyrics, because they are just so powerful in God's Truth.

You are the source of life

I can't be left behind
No one else will do
I will take hold of You

I need You Jesus, I need You Jesus



My heart is Yours for life
I need Your hand in mine
No one else will do
Lord I put my trust in You


I need You Jesus to come to my rescue
Where else can I go?
There's no other Name by which I am saved
Capture me with grace
I will follow You

My heart is Yours for life
I need Your hand in mine
No one else will do
Lord I put my trust in You

This world has nothing for me (I will follow You)

Audio of the song

16 Weeks

We are 16 weeks pregnant now.  So, I thought I would put up some fun facts about what the baby should be up to.  Oh, plus we got a heartbeat this past Tuesday, so that was really cool!  Janet, our midwife, said that everytime she tried to get a a heartbeat with the FetalScope that the baby moved, like the baby didn't want her to mess with it....so Janet, predicted it was going to be a girl, because this baby has attitude....anyway....

1.  baby should be 4.5 inches long (about the length of mascara)
2.  weight 3 ounces
3.  baby's heart is pumping about the 25 quarts of blood a day
4.  fine hair is starting to grow at the top of head
5.  baby has grown strong enough to hold it's head up a little straighter
6.  starting to have facial expressions like squinting, yawning, and grimacing

Stressed

I find myself constantly worrying if I am providing enough nutrition for the baby.  I feel like I'm never doing enough or I can't do enough. I feel like there is always one more vitamin I should be taking or "You haven't had any kelp today."  I don't know, guys.  Are there any mommies out there who did feel or are feeling this same thing?  I feel like this is my one job to do and I am failing miserably at it.  Who knows, I may be doing everything right.  I'm probably just letting myself get stressed out.....I need to just pray about it.

11 weeks

That is how far along I am. I find this hard to believe, because to me, my tummy isnt that big.  But I will have pics up soon so that we chronicle the procession of the bump. And then you will see what I mean.

We went to the midwife on Tueday and we didn't get a heartbeat.  But that is ok.  Usually with a fetal scope you won't get anything till 15 weeks.  We opted to not use a doppler, because it was a type of sonogram. So the next time we have a visit with the midwife we should get a heartbeat, so that will be fun!

Names

So, yes we have picked names.  If it is a girl it will be Selah Lynn Tillman-Young and if it is a boy Daniel Blue Tillman-Young.

Selah:  is in the bible.  It is a term used that means to "pause and reflect".  It is the part of the song where just music is playing and no lyrics.

Lynn:  is my maiden name.

Daniel:    a prophet from the bible and Noah's dad and grandfather's middle name.  All really cool guys!

Blue:  Noah's favorite color.  Actual "favorite" isn't an adequate enough word for his feelings toward this particular wavelength of light.

One Year Anniversary

Yesterday was our one year anniversary of our marriage.  It feels so good to know that I get to spend the rest of my life with my best friend and with a baby on the way, that just makes it extra special. We had such a good time yesterday.  We ate really great food.  Noah bought me a BEAUTIFUL ring with a blue topaz, of course, and I got him boots. 

And we got our Christmas ornaments!  Every year we both get a new Christmas ornament.  Noah got a Batman ornamnet and I got a Jack Skellington ornament. They are super cute!

I know in years to come we won't get to waste a whole day together just having fun and being goofy, but we can now and I love that we do! 

We are preggo!

Yes, we are pregnant! And I can't even explain how awesome and amazing this all is, good stuff.  We found out September 12, which just so happens to be Grandparent's Day. (I think that's hilarious!)  Everyone is really excited!

We have chosen to have a home birth with a midwife.  Hopefully, a water birth will happen, but that just depends upon what the baby wants when the time comes.  We aren't finding out what the sex is until the day of birth.  So we aren't having a sonogram as of now.  We aren't vaccinating the baby, because there are just way too many bad things....I will talk more about that later down the road.  I don't know exactly how far along I am, because we have not been to the midwife yet.  We are still interviewing them and such. 

And that is all I am writing today, because I have the amazing morning sickness and just looking at this computer makes me nauseous.  So peace!

A Prosperious Future

God is so great! We recently had a very joyous thing happen is our lives.  And I can't praise God enough for it.  Truly his plans are not our plans, but are better.  I thank God for this opportunity.  I can't say details, but I just wanted to give it up to God for being....God.  Its all summed up in my favorite verse....

"I say this, because I know what I am planning for you', says the Lord.  'I have good plans for you,not plans to hurt you.  I will give you hope and a good future"  Jeremiah 29:11

BFFs

So, there are two things you need to know to make what I am about to tell you special.  One, Noah and I are still in our lovey-dovey stage of our marriage. (I hope it stays that way.)  And we call each other BFF's or Best Friends Forever.  It's silly, but we love it.  Two, Noah talks in his sleep sometimes.  So much that I don't ever really pay attention anymore, because it usually doesn't make sense.

Well, last night Noah was knocked-out-asleep in bed and I was still laying in bed not able to sleep.  And he turned over in bed (still asleep) and said "Best Friends Forever".  I almost woke him up, because he made me so happy! It was just about the cutest thing in the world.  Love him!!

God Moments

I love it when you are having a regular day and then God shows up and makes it special!  That just happened to me, while I was working out.  I was listening to music and "Healer" by Kari Jobi came on, and I found myself crying and worshiping God before I knew it.  It is in those moments that I see God's face and fall in love with Him all over again.  Love it!

Bowtie Baby Hat

Well, I'm about to have another niece in about a month.  So, it is baby-knitting season at my house! I love this Baby Bowtie pattern and it can be found here for free.  The only changes I have made are that instead of the first few rows in garter stitch, I changed it to stockinette stitch so that it will roll up and make a cute brim.  The wrong side of the stockinette stitch is what you see rolled up as the brim.  I also used circular needles instead of DPNs.

True Healing

Time doesn't heal all wounds,

that only comes through Jesus Christ!

Winter Cable Hat

As promised, here is the hat that I've been working on.  I just finished it.  This is a really simple cable hat that can be made smaller by using smaller needles.

Yarn:  Lion Brand Yarn, Vanna's Choice (1 skein), (401) Grey Marble, 92% Acrylic and 8% Rayon, machine washable and dry-able, this yarn is gray tweed with flecks of white, brown, and black.

Gauge: 

Needles: 5.5 mm circular needles

Pattern:

Cast on 108 sts.

Join work and mark rounds.
Work (K2, P2)* ribbing for 9 rounds.

Work (K2, P2, K6, P2)* for 5 rounds.

Work, (K2, P2, CB6, P2)* for 1 rounds.

Work (K2, P2, K6, P2)* for 8 rounds.

Work (K2, P2, CB6, P2)* for 1 rounds.

Work (K2, P2, K6, P2)* for 8 rounds.

Work (K2, P2, CB6, P2)* for 1 rounds.

Work (K2, P2, K6, P2)* for 3 rounds.

Decreasing Starts:

Work (K2tog, P2, K6, P2)* for 1 round.

Work (K2, P2, K6, P2)* for 1 round.

Work (K1, P2, SSK, K2, K2tog, P2)* for 1 round.

Work (K1, P2, CB4, P2)*

Work (K1, P2, K4, P2)* 1 round.

Work (K1, P2tog, K4, P2tog)* for 1 round.

Work (K1, P1, K4, P1)* for 3 rounds.

Work (P2tog, K4, P1)* for 1 round.

Work P1 (CB4, P2)*P1 for 1 round.

Work P1 (K4, P2)*, K4, P1 for 2 rounds.

Work SL1 (K4, P2tog)* K4, P2tog, last stitch p2tog with first stitch of last round.

Work (K4, P1)* for 2 rounds.

Work (K1, K2tog, K1, P1)* for 1 round.

Work (K3, P1)* for 1 round.

Work (K2tog)* for 1 round.

Work 1 round 18 sts.

Cut yarn, and weave through the remaining ends, pull tight.  Weave in all ends.

CB6:  slip next 3 sts on cable needle and hold in BACK of work, K3 from left needle, K3 from cable needle.

CB4:  slip next 2 sts on cable needle and hold in BACK of work, K2 from left needle, K2 from cable needle.


Enjoy!

God Thoughts

You make all things Good!

Be Still and Know that I am God!...Psalm 46:10

Taste and See that the Lord is Good!...Psalm 34:8

Sing a New Song unto the Lord!.....Psalm 96:1

Moss Stitch Scarf

This is a really fun scarf that has an amazing texture and is really warm.  Plus, the pattern is ridiculously easy, so you will love it!

Yarn:  Lion Brand Yarn Wool-Ease Thick & Quick, 2-ply, (189) Butterscotch, 20% Wool and 80% Acrylic. (1 skein)  It has a super bulky weight that makes it perfect for your warmer patterns.

Gauge:  10 sts/ 4"

Needles:  US Size 13 or 9 mm

Yarn Needle:  You will need a yarn needle to sew in ends.

Pattern:

Cast on 19 sts or an odd number of sts with the (K1, P1)* cast on.
All rows are (K1, P1)*.
Knit till desired number of rows.
Cast off using same pattern when you cast on, a (K1, P1)* cast off.
Cut yarn and sew in all ends using yarn needle.


* = repeat till end of row

The K1, P1 cast on and cast off just adds a fun edge to the scarf, that compliments the moss stitch.

My First Quilt!

This is the quilt that I am working on.  It is a mixture of greens and yellow and it will be a log-cabin pattern. It will be 8 x 9 blocks.  And I will probably put two borders of something around it when I am finished.  This is, obviously, a figure-out-as-I-go pattern.  But it is a lot of fun!  I think it will turn out good.

The Law and the Prophecies

I've always been really sad that the Holy Temple was destroyed in Jerusalem.  Especially, since a Muslim mosque was built on top of it ans is still there today.  But God has revealed something to me lately.  It was shown to me while I was reading the Mark of the Lion books.

The Jews hold fast to their Laws.  That is all they knew and it is what defined them.. The fact that Jesus came and said that He canceled out the Law was enough for then to want to kill him. That was blasphemy to them.  He basically said, in their words, that the thing (the Law) that defined them was nothing now.  Instead of realizing and excepting freedom, they grew fearful and angry.

I think the demolition of the Temple by the Romans was a lot like this.  And again the Jew didn't get it.  In order to fulfill all their Laws, they had to give sacrificed at the Holy Temple.  Jesus was the ultimate sacrifice, so there was no need for them to make sacrifices with lambs anymore.  So God was telling them in the most blunt way he could that there was no need for the temple by letting the Romans tear it down.  Otherwise, the prophecy of the temple being destroyed would not come to pass and the Jews would be less likely to believe the prophecy of the Messiah had come to pass.

Some got it, but others just cried and moaned over it and they still are today.  Sounds a lot like us!

So, I'm really sad that we all couldn't see the Temple today.  But not as sad as I an now knowing that there were so many of God's people who never saw the truth or were just too stubborn and prideful of their Law to open their eyes.

Zelda

Noah, my husband, brought home a dog from his work.  She is half Pomeranian, half something else. We named her Zelda.  Riley, our Texas Heeler, seems to be ok with her. So, I guess we will let her be in our family.

Newest Project

This is the newest project that I started on today while watching Invader Zim.  It will be a cabled hat when I am finished.  I'll post the pattern and more picks when I am done.

I LOVE a good book!

So, I know it has been forever since I have blogged. Sorry, I have no real excuse. So I'm not going to lie and make up one, but...

I have been reading this book that my sister has been asking me to read for months. And I'm happy I finally listened to her, because it is amazing! It is really getting me thinking about life and how easy I have it is a Christian living in America compared to then. Although, in other ways our society and this society have a lot in common.

It is called Voice in the Wind, and it is a part of a trilogy called 'Mark of the Lion'. It is dated a few years after the death of Jesus. And the struggle of 4 main characters living in Roman times of war and gladiators. I thought, as I always do of Christian books, that it was going to be really emotional and lame. But once again, God has proved me wrong....and humbled me greatly, I might add.

I found that I had so much in common with all the different characters in one aspect or another. And the society of Rome I found is a lot like America, and not in a good way. The writer is Francine Rivers, who also wrote Redeeming Love and The Atonement Child. Both are really great books that are a must read!!

So, do yourself a favor and read the 'Mark of the Lion' series and all of Francine Rivers' books while your at it! I promise you, you will be blessed!

Swag Love

So, a little about moi....I make hand-made jewelry with clay and I hand-knit knitwear. This has been a passion of mine for over a year.

My husband, oddly enough, taught me how to make jewelry. And I have loved it ever since. It started with making necklaces and earrings for family at birthdays and Christmas. Everyone told me that I should sell them, but I just thought they were being nice. Finally I believed them, and now I sell jewelry at http://www.etsy.com/shop/SwagLove.

I had always admired those who could knit and I thought it was the coolest thing. So about a year ago, I finally decided to stop living on the sidelines and I taught myself how to knit. I started off with a 4 inch instructional paper and then graduated to books and patterns. Knitting is my true passion! I love the color and creativity. My knitwear is soon to be on http://www.etsy.com/.

I call my business Swag Love. Because that is pretty much the stuff I make, swag. And also because I am a Pirate! Swag Love also has a page on Facebook.

I think all of this has come to pass due to the economic stress we are under. So I can't be too down about the our economy, because otherwise I would never have learned these two arts.

And it is indeed true, Necessity is the Mother of Invention.

Vietnamese Bubble Tea

It's not a smoothy and its not a slushy, but its something in between and it has tapioca beads. Sounds crazy, but it is Crazy Good! My husband introduced me to this sweet delight and I have become addicted. And with much success, my friend, Jane, has newly joined this addiction club. Oh Vietnam!