Happy 4th of July everyone! You know you are a mother when, instead of enjoying the fireworks everyone is setting off in the neighborhood, you lie in bed and stress that it's going to wake up your kid(s). Fortunately, Brooke slept peacefully through all the "booms" going on around her, and mommy got a good night's sleep too. A blessing this late in pregnancy!

I thought for sure I was going into labor last night. Contractions 8-10 min apart for about an hour. I was so hopeful! Matt was at the theater watching Transformers with his friend Gleb and I almost texted him to come home. It was a good think I didn't because the contractions went away (sigh...)  But, on a positive note, I get to make potato salad and celebrate Independence Day with friends tonight. Love it!

Lots of pain in the lives of many of my friends recently. Lots of prayers being lifted up for all of you. I'm so thankful for the friendships God has brought into my life. God is teaching me so much about prayer and faith. I am not a good "prayer warrior." (Cheesy phrase). I believe God CAN work miracles; I just have a hard time believing He WILL a lot of times. The little prayers ("God, please help Brooke to sleep well tonight"... I believe He will answer those). But the bigger prayers, I go into sometimes with a skeptical heart. I guess because I have seen so much pain and suffering despite praying. But that's where faith comes in. Knowing that God CAN and WILL, but trusting that sometimes our desires are not His best for our lives. Anyway, our pastor preached on this yesterday, and it hit me between the eyes because I had just messaged my accountability group about this very thing! I love when God directs sermons specifically to my heart!

I'm actually really getting excited to meet this little girl inside of me. She's an active one... I think she's as ready to stretch her little legs as I'm ready to get her out of my rib cage! Every time I see a newborn now, I get happy warm fuzzies. Can't wait to hold Chloe in my arms!

Well, Brooke is "uh-uh-uh"-ing in there so I must go get her out of her crib and feed her some breakfast. Everyone stay safe and enjoy!