Get things done a lil at a time...

So here's where we're at:
-The crib is put together. I'll post some pictures later.
-The room is half way cleaned out (Katie still has some school stuff in there).
-The paint color for the walls is picked out. It's called Pearl Lake (it's blue, I'd call it baby blue).
-The clothes we have are seperated and the changing table is coming together.
-We got the quilt from Pottery Barn and will be buying other pieces over the next few months. We are also going to register there (I think, but I could be wrong).

I think Labor Day weekend will be rather laborous for me, as I plan to get alot done over those few days.

We've been reading to him every night and he seems to enjoy some Dr. Seuss and Disney. He really starts kicking when we're reading to him. I can't help but notice every baby around me and wonder what he'll look like, smell like and feel like. I know to everyone else, he'll be a baby. Not to me, though, he'll be my son. That's somewhat difficult to wrap my head around at times but it has me engulfed in this new phase of curiosity. This new sense of who I am in Christ, who I am as a husband, a brother, a son, a worker and a friend. I'm ever changing, constantly the same, knowing who I am and from where I came.

God is love, Rev. Run
Oops. I mean, nevertheless, God is love. Aaron

The joys of putting together a nursery

Oh the joys of putting the nursery together! And it's only just beginning. This past weekend we got our crib and changing table, so that itch to get it all put together has begun. Katie picked out this baby spread from pottery barn and we got the quilt this week, which Katie loved. We are now going to get everything in pieces. I also plan on painting the wall similar to the one pictured above, but who knows when. I'm sure I will be posting the process that will soon begin. Anyone that wants to help paint, be sure to let me know. There's room for everyone.

Elijah Kicks

Elijah is kicking. It has to be one of the coolest things I've ever experienced. To know that he is growing on the inside and it is now evident on the outside, even tho we can't see him yet is an amazing realization. The first time I felt him was about 2 weeks ago. It was a Friday and I was laying on the bed and Katie ran in and pounced on me. I flipped her over and started playing with her belly (just to be obnoxious). I stopped and got a thump thump response. Being startled, I looked up at Katie and she said "That's the baby". I put my hand on her belly again and felt another thump. It was such a perfect moment.

I felt him kick again this morning and that is what has prompted this post. I'm one very excited soon-to-be dad. I really can't wait.

The Name

His name will be Elijah James. The majority of people I've told this to have liked the name. A few seemed puzzled about the decision, not that it was their decision to make. We chose Elijah from the bible.


Elijah

Language/Cultural Origin: Hebrew

Inherent Meaning: The Lord is My God.

Spiritual Connotation: Spiritual Champion

Scripture: Proverbs 3:6

In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

James is a family name. It is my father's and grandfather's name.


James

Language/Cultural Origin: Hebrew

Inherent Meaning: Supplanter.

Spiritual Connotation: Nurtured

Scripture: Psalm 23:4

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

I cannot wait to meet my son, Elijah James.

Mark 11:22-25

Elijah's Foot.

Elijah's Profile.

Elijah's Boy Parts.

Words can not explain how excited I am that we're having a boy.

So for now I'll remain speechless.

Mark 11:22-25 (The Message)

22-25Jesus was matter-of-fact: "Embrace this God-life. Really embrace it, and nothing will be too much for you. This mountain, for instance: Just say, 'Go jump in the lake'—no shuffling or shilly-shallying—and it's as good as done. That's why I urge you to pray for absolutely everything, ranging from small to large. Include everything as you embrace this God-life, and you'll get God's everything. And when you assume the posture of prayer, remember that it's not all asking. If you have anything against someone, forgive—only then will your heavenly Father be inclined to also wipe your slate clean of sins."

Meet Elijah James

Here is Elijah James in all his glory! You're looking at him as though he is sitting on glass above your head. You can see his two legs and his manhood right there in the middle.


He is growing just fine. We saw all 10 fingers and toes today. His heartbeat was 141 beats/min. He weighs about 11 ounces (which is a little big for now, better big than small).


Watching this baby grow from cells into a living, heartbeating, breathing baby is something that is hard to put words to. It literally leaves me speechless and in awe of the power of God. HE's (God's) real. I saw him today.

Isn't She Beautiful

I'm Blessed.

I mean really, undoubtedly blessed.

Sometimes it's hard to see it, getting caught up in day to day business. Psalms 139: 7-12 says

"Is there anyplace I can go to avoid your Spirit? To be out of your sight? If I climb to the sky, you're there! If I go underground, you're there! If I flew on morning's wings to the far western horizon, You'd find me in a minute— you're already there waiting! Then I said to myself, "Oh, he even sees me in the dark! At night I'm immersed in the light!" It's a fact: darkness isn't dark to you; night and day, darkness and light, they're all the same to you.

God is everywhere. Look for him or not...he's everywhere. He's in your busy schedule and he's in the most peaceful afternoon. It's up to us to take the time to see him, talk to him, to grow in a relationship with our Father God. A God that craves relationship. So here's where I'm at: this point to choose to see who God is. He is far more than this God who sits and heaven and moves people around like a pawn on a chess board. He is a God that is closer than our next breath (Job 27:3). He is a God that loves his people (John 3:16 among many, many other scriptres) and wants nothing more than a living, breathing relationship with. So I enourage to stop. Enjoy God. Enjoy the people around you. Enjoy their differences. Enjoy their life.

I only want to revel in the love of my wife right now. I want to enjoy every aspect of her. She's carrying my child, that God is perfectly molding this minute.

Yes. I am blessed.

Peace out. Aaron