Friday Fun!

Living healthy natural lives is not always the easiest thing, which is why I started my blog - to inspire and help others live their best life healthfully and naturally. Friday Fun is my way of sharing a bit of my life with you, my readers and friends, and I hope you will be willing to share your thoughts and ideas with me too.

So, here we go!

In my life this week...
A lot to be thankful for! We went in to our midwife for our second appointment at 16 weeks. Since we weren't able to hear the baby's heartbeat at 12 weeks, I was anxious to hear it this time. After several minutes of searching, my midwife caught the heartbeat for about 2 seconds. But, that sweet sound immediately brought tears to my eyes!!

Also, after asking my midwife's opinion and reading up a bunch on the topic (this article is a good one), we decided that for the first time, we are NOT going to have any kind of ultrasound with this baby. With all three of our other children, we did have an ultrasound with each, mostly because I loved knowing the gender and feeling that extra bond with my baby. But, with this baby, we decided the possible risks are not worth it to us. I guess it comes back to the saying, "When you know better, you do better."

I am inspired by...
how God can change my attitude, give me enough strength, and calm my troubled heart. It is truly amazing how when I feel so beaten down at one moment, God can pick me up and bring me back to a place of peace and hope.

My favorite thing this week was...
besides hearing my baby's heartbeat, I think it was playing at the playground with my kids. I can't get enough of the rock climbing wall. :-)

What's working/not working for me...
Working -I am loving all the fresh produce of summer! I went strawberry picking last weekend, and the smell of fresh berries is intoxicating! I am also looking forward to blueberry picking maybe next week or the week after. Plus, my garden is growing well, and I am excited to pick some peas soon.

Not working - It is one of my family goals to make sure we eat supper together as a whole family. Between my husband's crazy schedule and my working in the evening, this has not been happening as often as I'd like. I really want to work on making a better effort to eat dinner as a family most, if not all, days of the week.

Questions/thoughts I have...
I cannot wait to hold a little baby in my arms again! Even though my youngest is only 21 month old, it seems like it has been forever since I have snuggled a newborn. I can't wait!

I'm reading...
The Freedom Writers Diary (so inspirational!), God's Whisper in a Mother's Chaos by Keri Wyatt Kent, and I am still reading through one chapter of the Bible a day, starting in Matthew.

I'm cooking...
My pregnancy must-have are my Protein balls. I eat them throughout the day to help keep the nausea at bay. Besides that, I have been in love with chips and salsa. As for what I am actually cooking, well, Carrot Ginger Soup and Brown Rice, Crockpot Chicken Lettuce Wraps, and we finally figured out how to really make a stellar burger - don't handle the meat much, put a thumb print in the middle, cook in a pan, and add a little salt and a nice bit of pepper, only flip once. So yummy!

I'm grateful for...
nail cutters - I don't know how else I would keep my kids' fingers clean and their nails trimmed, sunshine, rain for my garden (still haven't had to water all summer), helpful neighbors, loving family, peppermint essential oil, clean drinking water, the way my older daughter mothers my younger one, my son's emotions after finishing Charlotte's Web, and my husband's hard work.

A photo, video, link, or quote to share... 

This quote really struck me this week, and I am constantly trying to remember it...

"Sometimes I feel guiltier for what I'm not than thankful for what I am." Lysa Terkeurst