it is what it is

{going through my computer... pictures, emails, and so forth... came across this blog post that i never published... so here we go!}

i was raised by two very head strong parents.  both taught me the value of standing up for what i believe in, persistence, and boldness.  and partially because of this, i've always said what's on my mind and how i feel.  not necessarily always to a point where i am being rude or disrespectful, but yeah, a lot of what's rolled off of my tongue in the past, never should have in the first place.

"that's just who i am."

i'm not sure if some realize this, but do we really know and understand how selfish, arrogant, and ignorant that sounds?

do you remember the phrase, "sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me."

hmm... yeah that was hummed back in the sandbox ages when life revolved around what brand of crayons was the best, and which swing we were going to fight to the death over come recess time.  and nowadays, that phrase is becoming known all too well as a kindergarten hyperbole.  but man, kids nowadays, and we've all seen it on Ellen and all over the news front... the bullying, the fighting, and even death.  and for what? all because of the words that pierce like fiery swords.


three years ago, my husband would refer to my own mouth as a machine gun with no safety.  i didn't care what i said or who i said it to.  "it is what it is," i always told myself before i lashed out and spat such ugly venom.  "they need to hear it from somebody..."  okay... and who's to say i'm that somebody?  who's to say you're that somebody?  or he is that somebody?  or she?  who are we to say, "it is what it is."?

now, take a walk in their shoes.  is it really, "it is what it is", or is there more to the story?  is there perhaps underlying issues or a battle which this person is so desperately fighting, and one which we are blinded to?  and what did we just do?  we knocked them when they were down.  just by our words.  whether they be words of harshness, words of ignorance, or maybe words of doubt, or bossiness.   we knocked them when they were down in order to build up our own insecurities and self doubt. 


sometimes, not everything always needs to said or verbalized.  but instead we should love, support, and encourage.

and in circumstances where the Lord is really pressing it on your heart to "be real" with this person, the gift of discernment is highly favorable.  speak with LOVE, or otherwise, to simply put it... don't speak at all.

What are your thoughts on speaking out to people?



Faith & Love,
Casey

21 weeks

this month, i've been more pregnant than evar!

major heartburn. (i normally don't have this, so i'm a big baby when it comes to it)
soreness all over (and i mean all.over.).
sleepless nights.
shortness of breath.
sharp pains in my pelvic area.
i'm officially wearing eye glasses 24/7... even in the shower. oopsie! (worked as an optician when preggo w/ aislynn, and never ever thought this would happen to me. ha!).
frequent trips to the restroom, and before i was a trooper at holding it, but now, she's a UFC fighter hammering away at my bladder.
my pre-preggo izod undies are screaming, and i can't find new ones ANYWHERE, so motherhood maternity's bogo sale saved the day!
... and finally, my feet are starting to swell.  (well, at least one foot is. i'm praying its because of last July's foot surgery.)


other than that, we're rockin'!

baby registry is complete.
although, i admit, it wasn't as fun the 2nd go-round.
it amazes me what they come up with...
sorry, but personally, i don't need a bottle warmer, or a wipe warmer. (both of which we got for aislynn, and used ummmm once. lol)
we also got the diaper genie.  (dear lord, please ban those things! nothing worse than lifting the lid and being punched in the face with poo. bleh)

hmmm...
other than that, i dig a lot of the new stuff...
not so much the pricing of it, but the idea.
people are very clever these days, but i'm clever enough not to buy into the hype of a $500+ stroller.

okay okay... maybe Jr is, however.
he's dead set on one that nudges $400. (that's wayyy more than the jenny lind crib i have my eyes set on)
that scares me, but its pretty much the only thing he has picked out, so i really can't complain, especially with a c-section in my future, and the hours Jr is going to work, mama is going to need something light weight, height-sized right, and easy to maneuver. maybe, we can find it on super sale, somewhere?? ::crosses fingers::

anywho... i won't complain, because he took these loverly photos of me at 20 weeks. <3
he's such a hoot, and such a trigger-happy photogropapa.
love you, sweetie. <3

and here's a new 21 week photo:

Faith & Love, 

Casey

in the middle

time is flying by.
each week feels like a new month of vacationing in preggersville,
and each day, like a new week.

my stomach is super pregnant one day,
and just plain bloated looking another day.
jr has been home the past week a half, and wondered where my belly went on a few occasions. ha!


march is here, and soon june will be here, then july.

june 29th, i go in for some pre-op blood work.
july 2nd, Bella will be here.
(if she doesn't come, sooner)

she'll be sweetly wrapped in our loving arms.
its so surreal.

last night, watching videos of Aislynn, made my lack of patience lack even further.
i remember when Aislynn was just a tiny little thing, and now, she's 5 going on 15.
i can't wait to experience having another little blessing running around the house, getting into things, screaming at the top of their lungs, throwing food at me (ha! Aislynn never did that, so one can only expect this one to), and well... just loving me, and us loving her.

i pray for a healthy pregnancy, and pray for her healthy debut to the world. <3

<3

Faith & Love, 

Casey