You've Blessed Our Life

It's been feeling great outside! This morning it was 57 degrees outside, the high is only going to be high 70's. Oh how I love this. Makes me want to go out and dance in the wind. Yesterday Matthew and I went on a short walk and it was windy and my nose started running. I know Fall is coming and I'm so ready for it.This weekend is suppose to almost get back in the 90's but I'm sure the fall is coming, I'm going to hold on to my hope that it's coming. :)

Life has been great in the Flippen house lately. We've started our devotion yet again, and this time I don't care how late it is, or how tired we are, we are going to do them every night. It's helping our marriage, we get an hour together before we go to sleep and it allows God to come join us while we are together and let him have his way in our life. We put everything aside and I love doing our devotion. Matthew seems to enjoy it as well. Another awesome wonderful thing is, I got a small part time temporary job. I will be watching a friend of mine's baby girl a few days a week for a few hours. I'm super excited. It's going to help Matthew and I get some small things for Elijah and it will help me have some girl lunch time with some of my ladies. Matthew's excited about me watching the little girl. He thinks it will be good for me. Plus it will give me something to do 3 days a week. Also in two weeks I'll start my one week appointments. It's weird thinking it's still Aug. but Oct is just right around the corner. Matthew and I keep preparing everything, and trying to make sure everyhting is washed and put away. I'm doing my best right now, but walking up and down the stairs keep getting harder and harder. But I keep doing it. We also are going to keep walking (small walks) as long as I can, and as long as it stays cool outside.

God has blessed Matthew and I so much this past year. It's been almost a year since he left for BMT. This past year so much has happened. It's just been amazing! Just to sum all of it up, God has really poured his blessings on us. I just can't help but to praise him for everything. I mean we are expecting our first baby. We are about to make it to our 3rd Wedding Anniversary, we have met wonderful friends here at Whiteman, formed great friendships, about to join a great chuch that has just took us under there wing nad treated us like family. Life is great. Thanks to everyone who has made it great for us. Thanks to everyone who has blessed us with words, smiles, love and joy! You've made a difference in our life. I promise.

Belly and Life Update

Well today I had a doctor appointment. Which I was soppoused to go in on Monday, but it was a hectic day. Our car decided at the last minute to be mean to us. Matthew was upset so he just shoved it into gear, which you are never soppoused to do, and it made some part come out in the shifter. So, I was going to be late to my appointment, I was so upset. With my hormones being like a roller coaster, with lots of hills twists and turns. But, he fixed the car, how? I don't know, but he did, well I have to say God fixed the car, because Matthew doesn't know to much about cars, so God fixed the car, Matthew was just the person he used to do it. So I made a another appointment for today. I went alone, my first appointment going by myself. It was different. I had no one to talk to while I waited to see the doctor, it was quite and all I could do was think. So since my last appointment I've gained 2 pounds. Over all, I've gained more then anyone really needs to know. My blood pressure was 117/77 which they say is good. Of course I loved all the 7's. The pains I've been feeling she said was just ligaments down there streching. Which man, thats painful. She said his postition is head down, which is why I'm feeling pressure, which I wasn't worried about the pressure, I figured thats why I felt pressure. And the nurse who did the heartbeat said it was in the low 150's and he's probably about 4 pounds and 17 inches long. So, I thought that was pretty cool. And then it hit me, wow I'm carrying 4 pounds in my tummy!! How weird!! Today he's been pretty melow, not moving a lot. Which is ok, because he's been moving around a lot lately. twisting and turning. No hiccups or anything like that. He likes putting his toes between my ribs it feels. Oh, and another thing, I'll be 32 weeks tomorrow, but today I was measuring at 34 weeks. They said thats normal, but I guess we'll see at my next appointment how I'm measuring. I have all the rest of my appointments set up until Oct 13, the day before he's due. So I either keep going in until then or he comes out before then. Which ever is fine with me.

Matthew goes tomorrow to get his wisdom teeth taken out. So, I get to drive him to Blue Springs, sit and wait til they are done, drive him home, and take care of him. Play Nurse while I'm taking care of me and my belly all at the same time. I can do it. :) I'm super Mandy. Friday our Airmans Attic opens back up. I'm going to try and go for a few mintues, while Matthew is sleeping and see if they have anything good, that I need. I hope so, that would help out a lot.

Also, I know that God has his hand on Matthew and I. I mean he fixed our car, I was so close to tears. I just knew the car was gone. I had no idea what we were going to do. It's our only car, and he had to get back and forth to work, and we have to get to appointments, I was all messed up. But Matthew was so calm and cool, he just took the gear shifter out and started looking around and fixed it. I know that God isn't going to let this baby come without things he needs. And he's showing me that all will be fine, if I just cast my cares upon him and call out to him. And that's what I'm doing. I'm praising him for things he's done for us, and casting my cares upon him. God has blessed Matthew and I with so much. I mean just look at where we were a year from now. He was getting ready to go into the Air Force, We lived with his parents, And didn't have much to show for ourselves. Now we have a house, by the grace of God, we have a baby on the way, we have a car that still runs good for us, we have a steady income. All our bills are always paid, we always have grocery's in the house, and we always have gas for our car. We may not be able to go out to eat, or buy things when we want too, but everything that we need is taken care of. We make ourselves sit down every paycheck and do a budget. Yes the past months we've let it get way out of control, but we are slowly getting back on track. It's taken sacafices, like not being able to go out to eat, or going to Wal-Mart, or going to the Big City and buying things just at a drop of a hat, but we are ok with that, we know that we have a son that is coming into our house, and in order for us to get him things he needs, like diapers, wipes, or clothes, we have to make ourselves do things. I'm not going to punish our son for our mistakes, it wasn't his fault and it will never be. I'm just so over-joyed that God showed me all of this and has given me the heart and mind set to make it all happen.

Today is our last day with internet at our house for our computer. From now on we will use our phones, or go somewhere with wifi. This is also a blessing, because we will be able to save $60 on our cell phone bill and will be able to use that money to help out with our budget until it's all stright, then we can save it, or use it to get things for Elijah. I can check my facebook and my blog from my phone, so don't let this stop you from commenting on my blog. I will try to post more often since not having internet will get me out of the house more often.

I hope that you all enjoyed reading this, because being able to share with you what God has shown me has made me happy. I hope someone gets something out of this and I hope the person that is reading this is blessed too.

My life is changing and I can't stop it.

I know things happen for a reason, and you all know I'm one of the most positive person out here. But lately, (the last few days) I've gotten slightly depressed. I think it's because several reasons. I need to get off this stupid hick town base and do something, we don't have everything for Elijah, and things just seem to be getting tighter and tighter. I feel like I'm going through a storm, and it seems to get worse and worse. I swear it seems like a tornado will appear anytime in this storm and just rip me apart. I don't know if this is normal or not. I don't want to get into deep detail, but things just seem to be getting.... annoying and upsetting. I know that my friends try to help out as much as they can, and my friends have done all they can, and I don't want them to help us anymore, it's not there job. We've gotten ourselves in this mess and need to find a way to get out, and do better. God keeps telling me that I need to relay on him and trust in him, and I do, but when I look at our money and our situation I just don't see how things could get any better. Matthew tries his hardest to get me to calm down and not to worry, but how can I not worry when I'm here and all I'm doing is thinking. Unlike him I think a lot, ok I worry a lot. I didn't used too. I don't know what has come over me. I'm so happy that we've been blessed with so much. I mean the crib sheets we have, crib set, bassinet, play gyms, so many clothes, a diaper bag, books, diapers, so many blankets, Matthews parents have given us $50 for a car seat, but I guess since it's the expensive thigns we have to get, it's starting to get stressful.
My life is changing and I don't know what to do. I don't want to worry about things, I hate worrying! I really do. It's not good for you. And God says its a sin. Plus I need to relay on my God. Give him all my worries, thats what he wants me to do anyways. I've just been in a funk! And I hate it! I am not asking for handouts, and I don't want people to help us because they think that. I'm not asking for help right now, mainly right now I'm asking for prayers. I need God's hand to stay on me, and not leave me. I need him to show me how this is going to be done. I'm not going to lie, I told Matthew last Sunday, if I could go back and change events, I would have prevented things from happening. No, I"m not saying this baby is a mistake, I love this baby more than I ever thought I could, but knowing that we would be so tight on money, I would have rather waited til we had some money at least. I don't know if thats normal to think, and I know it's not Elijah's fault by any means that he's being brought into this world. I also need to remeber, that God isn't going to give us something we can't handle. My mind is just going crazy! I'm sorry if this is confusing or if I'm being crazy, but it's some thoughts i have going on.

On a better note, today makes it 9 more weeks til my due date. You know people told me, oh your due date will change so many times. You know it hasn't changed once! I think thats funny! Also, I've gained so much weight that it's not funny. I hate going in the doctors office and getting on the scale! My blood pressure has been great, and all my test have come back really good. I have one more test coming up, Strep B test, and my midwife said I'll get that 35 weeks, so one more month and I'll have that done. I'm not worried about that one. No blood to be drawn, just getting swabbed. lol! And, I've gained so much weight, but i don't have a great baby bump like Shannon. Her's is so much prettier and more defind than mine is. Makes me sad, but I'm ok with it. I wont have any pictures this month. My photographer is going on vaction! :) To Disney. I've never been, but I hope she has fun! I'll get Matthew to take some just so I can put some up, but thats all. At my last appointment I was measuring a little small, which I've never done before. So Monday is my next one, so we'll see what going on. He's moving all around. So I'm not worried. Did you know that he only sleeps for 20 minutes at a time while he's in the womb? I didn't know that, but they told us that in our birthing class. Thought that was intreresting. Well I guess I'll post a few pictures, then I'll be done.

Oh by the way, our internet runs out on the 18, I think, so this might be the last update for a while. I might take Matthew to work once a week so I can go somewhere with a wifi hot spot so I can update once a week and get out of the house.

   Almost 19 Wks                                                              27 Weeks......

I can tell a difference. Can you?......

Things some people don't know about me...

My real name is Amanda.
 I used to want a girl first, but when I thought about it, a boy first is best, because he can protect his sister.
I am a big family person.
My husband and I have been married for almost 3 years.
This is my first baby, despit what people think of why Matthew and I got married.
I don't know how to sew.
I love to sing my heart out.
I'm a big fan of country and christain music.
I love to swim.
I hate the heat.
I love to take pictures.
My dream camera cost over $1,000.
I want my own photography business.
I want to have my own in-home daycare.
I've always wanted to to have the theme of the first baby's room to be Winnie the Pooh.
I think i've over done it on the pooh theme in Elijah's room.
I love to be on the computer.
I hate being alone.
I sometimes love storms, sometimes hate them.
I love to decorate.
I love being with my friends.
I don't like the base we are at, but God put us here because of the great people we've met!
I hate to clean.
I love icecream.
I love doing my hair and makeup.


This is about all the things I can think right now. I think I'm going to get a bowl of ice cream. :P Enjoy! :D

Appointment Day

Well today I had my second two week appointment. This is how everything stands thus far. I measured between 28 and 29 weeks, which I thought was odd, because up until now I've messaured right on time, and Thursday I'll be 30 weeks. 10 more weeks!!! My feet have been really swollen. So the Doc told me to rest more, and stop being on my feet so much. It's just so hard to do that when I have inlaws coming and I have things that need to be done. Any other time I would be able to rest, but I seem to be a pain in the rear when someone forces me to rest. My weight gain is good, my blood pressure is great, so they aren't worried about anything. Also, I've been having braxton hicks thoughout the days. Which the doc said is completly normal, which I knew that anyways, I just didn't know what they felt like, now I do. It didn't hurt, it was just a small pain, in my back and my tummy got rock hard. Which I've been having these for the past few days at least, but doc told me not to worry, that all was fine. :)
Matthew and I start our first birthing class tonight at 7 pm. I'm so excited. I got the last spot in the class, and another bonus they are free. Yes, we have to drive 30 minutes away, but we couldn't afford paying the amount the nearest town wanted. So, we got these. They are the same thing, but for free. :) I'm pretty excited about doing it. Can't wait to see what I can learn, and how it's going to go.
My inlaws are coming in Thursday night, so I've been getting the house in order for them. Cleaning, laundry, making sure things stay cleaned. It's been a pretty hard job, but I've been doing pretty good so far I think. They aren't leaving til Sunday morning, so we have them all weekend, which we only have one thing planned. Taking them out to dinner one night to a grea BBQ place in Sedaila! We love the place and hope they do too.
Well, Matthew got me a body pillow, and I'll be the first to tell you, I slept wonderful last night. Didn't move much, Elijah didn't even move much. I woke up a few times because I could tell I was on my back, but other than that no pain at all. I slept all night, got up this morning at 6am and have been going ever since. I've drank a gallon of water today, and Elijah's been moving all aorund. So, all is well in the Mandy Flippen tummy.
Hope you enjoyed this update. Sorry it's been so long, just been busy, and tired because lack of sleep. Now I'm off to go cook dinner and hopefully hubby will be home soon! Hope everyone has a great rest of the day! :)