28 weeks!

7 months pregnant... holy moly!  Where has the time gone?  I feel like I am just getting bigger and bigger, but thinking that I am 7 months helps me to realize that it's inevitable and I'm supposed to get bigger.  I am loving every minute of being pregnant.  I think, BY FAR, my favorite thing is being able to feel Grace move, kick, punch, roll over, etc.  She certainly is making a presence in my belly.  Saturday I had to go for my glucose test.  Luckily it was only an hour or so long, but only time will tell if I need to go back or not for the longer test.  I really do hope I passed, but have heard from many that it is not uncommon to fail the first time around.  It wasn't nearly as bad as I had heard it'd be.  The drink wasn't wonderful, but not horrible by any means.  The only thing not so great about the experience was that my arm is still black and blue from where the lady pricked me.  At least it is no longer swollen.  It swelled up pretty bad that first day and I couldn't even fully straighten my arm, but now it's just many shades of wonderful colors.  Here are some pictures of the belly from today... sorry they aren't of great quality... I took them because Garrett and my dad are working on the nursery and building around the water heater... there's a picture of that too, if you're interested :)

Going to have a door on the front
Otherwise, will be all built in
This is the start of the nursery...

This week Garrett and I decided to start a "thing" for the homeless.  Every day on our hour long ride home, we pass at least one homeless man with his very cute and devoted dog.  Occasionally we will pass others, but without fail we see this same man.  We have given him food on a few occasions and he is always so grateful.  One thing that I've noticed he says without fail is "God Bless You".  My heart just goes out for him.  In the last few weeks that we have been seeing him, Garrett and I have both noticed that he's been losing weight.  So, to help him and to help any other homeless person that we may stop by, Garrett and I went shopping for some travel size items, along with some snacks and water.  We actually received this idea from a friend that knew of somebody who used to do this.  We put together several "goodie" bags with travel toothbrushes (no water or paste necessary), deodorant, hand sanitizer, sunscreen, three nutri-grain bars, and two bottles of water.  We also included a good verse (one of Garrett's favorites) 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 as a little piece of encouragement.  We have already given the homeless gentleman that we frequently pass one of these bags and he was very grateful, especially for the water.  He was excited to be able to have it for his dog and himself.  I cannot wait to continue doing this for others, so long as Garrett and I are financially able.  We've been blessed beyond what we deserve and see it only fit that we give back to others less fortunate than us.

Also this week Garrett and I did a double date with my Grandma and Papa.  My Uncle Donnie also joined us.  We went out to a quaint homestyle restaurant and had the most wonderful time.  Thursday evening another couple from our community group announced that they were expecting!  We are so excited to have another young couple at our church, let alone in our small group, to raise our children together with and to just provide support for one another.  Congratulations Ashley and Zack!!  It was also a great week in that Ashley decided to get baptized in Christ and we (our community group) all got to be there to witness the wonderful occasion.  Then yesterday, Garrett and I got to make a trip to visit a couple that we used to square dance with, Jeff and Daryl.  They were kind enough to give us a stand-up freezer.  Thank you both!  Garrett says it's now time to go buy a cow, lol.  I'd be okay with that.  I would love to raise our own cow and now we have freezer room for all the meat.  We also, just got Foghorn Leghorn Jr., many thanks to one of Garrett's co-workers, Chuck.  Foghorn Jr. is a handsome little man.  Unfortunately not quite as handsome as the senior, but not too shabby and it is so nice to have another rooster for our ladies.  The ladies are laying eggs now too!  No more buying eggs for Garrett and I, we have at least two dozen right now.  There is nothing better for breakfast than some fresh eggs!

Foghorn Leghorn Jr.

All in all, it has been one whirlwind of a wonderful week.  I hope that you all had a blessed week!  Oh and almost forgot, but congratulations to a long-time friend who is currently at the hospital, on the very soon-to-be birth of her son.  I am praying for you and wishing you well, Torie.  I cannot wait to meet your little man very soon!  I know Rylie is going to be one heck of a big sister and he is one blessed boy to be born into such a wonderful family!

TheBump.com says:

Your baby's the size of a rutabaga!

Putting on layers of fat, your baby now weighs in around 1.5 to 2.5 pounds and measures about 13.6 to 14.8 inches.

your baby at 28 weeks

• She's starting to develop more fat, so her wrinkly skin will start to get smoother.
• Her lungs are mature enough that she'd probably survive if she was born now. Wow!